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NEW YORK: 

GREELEY & M'ELRATH, TUIBUNE BUILDINGS. 

PHILADELPHIA: 

THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT AND CO. 

1844. 

ur printed sheets — Postage under one hundred miles four cents, 
over one hundred miles six cents per sheet. 






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HEEKT CLAT. 



T il E 

CLAY MIA^STREL: 

OR, 

NATIONAL SONGSTER 



TO WHICH IS PREFIXED ->* ' 



A SKETCH 

OF THE 
LIFE. PUBLIC SERVICES, AND CHARACTEE 

OF 

HENRY C,LAY, 



BYJOHN & LITTELL, 

President of the Clay Club of Germantown. 



SECOND EDITION; ENLARGED. 



NEW YORK: 
GREELEY & M'ELRATH, TRIBUNE BUILDINGS. 

PHILADELPHIA: 
THOMAS, COWPERTHWAIT AND CO. 

1844. 



.C4.Ln 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 
1843, by Thomas, Cov\perthwait and Co., in the 
clerk's office of the district court of the United States 
in and for the eastern district of Pennsylvania. 



J. Fagan, Stereoty3)er. 



J. Kav, Jun. & Brother, Printers. 



ADVERTISEMENT 
TO THE FIRST EDITION. 



It occurred to the Editor of the Minstrel, that a publi- 
cation upon the pian of that now offered to the public 
would be acceptable, and might be useful at the present 
.juncture; and finding that his design was approved by 
friends whose political experience save increased value to 
their opinions, he prepared the brief and unpretending 
Sketch that follows, of the life of Mr. Clay. He takes 
pleasure in statins that he is much indebted to the re- 
searches of Mr. Prentice and of Mr. E. Sargent, whose 
comprehensive and interesting biographies are alike cred- 
itable to their talents and worthy of their subject ; and al". 
whose curiosity may be sharpened and excited by the im- 
perfect glimpses of the illustrious Statesman, afforded 
through the following pages, will find in them more full and 
circumstantial information than could be embraced within 
the narrow limits and unambitious design of this publica- 
tion. From their works, and from such other public 
sources as were immediately at hand, the torch of the 
Editor has received its feeble light, and he holds it aloft iii 
the hope that it also may be instrumental, although in 
humble degree, in scattering the misfs of prejudice with 
which ignorance and party rage have so long enveloped 
the subject, but which, even now, are gradually rising and 
rolling away beneath the influence of revealing light, and 
of that " tTiitk which is mighty and will prevail^ 

The Songs are by various authors. Some of them have 
been written expressly for the Minstrel ; others have been 
gleaned from the public journals, and other publications 
of the day. J. S. L. 

Germantown, Oct. 184S. 




BIRTH-PLACE OF HENUT CLAY. 



SKETCH 

OF THE 

LIFE, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND CHARACTER 

OF 

HENRY CLAY. 



CHAPTER I. 

B.rth of Mr. Clay— Death of his Father— His Motiier, her 
energy and powers of mind— Her marriage with Mr. 
Watkins — Early employments of Mr. Clay— His exam- 
ple—Clerk in a store — Enters the office of Mr. Tinsley 
— Chancellor Wythe — Studies law under Governor 
Brooke. 

Henry Clay, who is, at this moment, 
confessedly the first Statesman of the 
Nation, and whom posterity will place 
by the side of the Father of his Coun- 
try, when recounting the deeds of her 
purest benefactors, is, emphatically, the 
architect of his own fortune and fame. 
While his instructive history presents 
a splendid illustration of the beauty of 
our republican system, which throws 

C9) 



10 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

wide open the door to political ad- 
vancement to all degrees of men, he 
furnishes also, an extraordinary exam- 
l)le of the combination of the highest 
powers of the mind, as various as they 
are rarely found united in the character 
of a single person. 

With an eloquence which challenges 
comparison with the noblest of the 
olden time, and a gracefulness and 
impressiveness of manner, which, in 
beautiful keeping with his rich and 
overflowing periods, enchants and cap- 
tivates the hearer, he possesses indomi- 
table perseverance, and an' industry 
that never flags, — a rare facility in the 
transaction of business, — unshrinking 
courage, an ardent and lofty patriotism, 
long-tried, self-sacrificing,, and without 
reproach, — a judgment, mature and 
unerring, — profound sagacity, and an 
enlightened forecast ; all of which, with 
long experience in affairs of state, unite 
in the character of this extraordinary 
and illustrious man, and seem to point 
him out as the chosen instrument of 



OF HENRY CLAY. 11 

Providence for restoring the lost pros- 
perity of his hitherto favoured people, 
and in redeeming their country from 
the stains of treachery and misrule, 
from the disgrace of violated faith, and 
the degradation of national honour. 

Henry Clay is also remarkable for 
simplicity of life, character, and man- 
ners, and for an earnest and devoted 
attachment to purely republican prin- 
ciples, Vviiether in the great business 
of government, or in social intercourse 
with his fellow men, among whom, 
wherever he meets them, he inspires a 
veneration and an enthusiasm seldom 
equalled. His position at the present 
time is as truly enviable, as it is unpre- 
cedented ; and to his generous mind 
must be far more gratifying, than 
would be the actual possession of the 
attractions and the trappings of any 
station, however exalted, within the 
gift of a grateful and admiring people. 
Without patronage to bestow, or inte- 
rest with those who temporarily and 
through sufferance, hold the reins of 



12 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

government ; a retired statesman, a 
plain, practical farmer, he is, neverthe- 
less, the MAN OF THE PEOPLE, and pos- 
sesses for more influence and conside- 
ration with the nation at large, than 
they enjoy who have the bestov/al of all 
the emoluments and dignities of office. 

Mr. Clay was born in Hanover 
County, Virginia, on the 12th of April, 
1777, and was the fifth among seven 
children. His father was a preacher of 
piety and zeal, of the Baptist denomi- 
nation, who died during the war of the 
revolution, leaving his large family with 
little besides, to the care of his wife, 
wdio was distinguished among her sex 
for strong natural powers of mind, but 
who was thus left entirely destitute of 
the requisite means to alford to her 
children any higher instruction than 
could be obtained in the Log Cabin 
schools of the country in which she 
dwelt. 

It was at the early age of five years 
that the subject of our sketch was de- 
prived of the care of his good and 



OF HENRY CLAY. 13 

affectionate father ; and as his mother, 
some years later, formed a second mat- 
rimonial connexion, and removed with 
her husband, Mr. Henry IVatkins, into 
Kentucky, Henry and his eldest brother 
who remiained in Virginia, were left 
in circumstances requiring from them 
severe manual labour. 

Frequently, has Henry Clay, clad in 
the coarsest apparel, and with bare 
feet, ploughed the live-long summer 
day, with no other companions than 
his plodding team, and his own high 
thoughts, which, even in the midst of 
his humble but honourable toil, must 
have soared above the lowly circum- 
stances of his condition to hold com- 
munings with the loftier things of life. 
If we had space for the purpose, we 
might here pause to attempt a parallel 
between the early lives of Mr. Clay, 
and the "forest born Demosthenes," 
Patrick Henry, whose earliest years 
were passed in the laborious, but inde- 
pendent employment of cultivators of 
the soil. While those more favoured 
2 



14 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

by fortune — the wealthy sons of the 
land, with splendid equipage and hixu- 
rious ease, were rolling onward, the 
listless witnesses of the humble employ- 
ments of those "a-field," little could 
they have suspected that the dust from 
their chariot-wheels was scattered upon 
the iiomely garments of those who 
were destined to take exalted rank 
among the greatest of our own proud 
land! 

The career of Henry Clay is rich in 
instruction and encouragement to all 
upon whom adverse fortune has laid 
her depressing hand. From indigent 
infancy to the present period of his 
illustrious life, he affords a sublime 
illustration of the results of aspiring 
persev^erance. 'With such an example 
before him, no American youth, how- 
ever unpropitious the circumstances 
of his position may be, need despair 
of ultimate success ; that success which 
is the almost certain result of well- 
directed, steady and laborious effort, 
but which the labour, and the constant 



OF HENRY CLAY. 15 

self-dependence of the mind can alone 
achieve. 

" Ah! who can te!I how hard it is to climb 

The steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar; 

Ah ! who can tell how many a soul sublime 

Has felt the influence of malignant star, 

And waged with fortune an eternal war ; 

Check'd by the scoffs of Pride and Envy's frown, 

And Poverty's unconquerable bar, 

111 life's low vale remote has pined alone, 

Then dropp'd into the grave, unpitied and unknown." 

With Clay, the " bar of poverty" so 
touchingly alluded to by the poet, was 
regarded merely as a difficulty over 
which he was, of course, to achieve a 
triumph ; it reared its discouraging and 
depressing front betbre his unflinching 
eye and unshrinking heart, but was 
not deemed "unconquerable," by one 
who, in believing' he should triumph, 
had already secured to himself the cer- 
tainty of victory. 

In the performance of his multifa- 
rious labours as a farmer's boy, he has 
often ridden to the mill with grain, his 
sole equipment in harmony with his 
own humble appearance, being a rope 



16 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

bridle, and his seat, in lieu of a saddle, 
the bag containing the grist or the 
iiour, which he brought upon his re- 
turn. 

In such employments, and with none 
of the advantages of education, or of so- 
cial intercourse with cultivated minds, 
did our country's future statesman and 
benefactor, pass the first thirteen years 
of his active and useful life. At the 
age of fourteen he was placed in a 
small retail store at Richmond, where 
he remained, attentive to the duties of 
the counter until the following year, 
(1792) when he was transferred, but by 
whom does not appear, to the office of 
Mr. Peter Tinsley, who was, at that 
time. Clerk of the High Court of Chan- 
cery. It was here that he had the good 
fortune to attract the attention of the 
celebrated George Wythe, a Signer of 
the Declaration of Independence, and 
one of the most eminent jurists of that 
day, and it certainly forms not the least 
of the claims of that distinguished man 
to the veneration and gratitude of pos- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 



17 



terity that he had the sagacity to dis- 
cover the merit of young Clay, and the 
inclination also to afford him the bene- 
fit of his counsel and conversation. If 
the generous example of Chancellor 
Wythe were more frequently followed 
by those who possess the opportunity 
and means, how often would the sun- 
shine of hope illumine the paths of un- 
protected genius, and save from despair 
those who, under more .favourable cir- 
cumstances, might become the orna- 
ments and the benefactors of mankind ! 
The encouragement and counsel re- 
ceived by Henry Clay during the strug- 
gles of this period of his career, from 
his distinguished friend, were certainly 
of great "advantage to him, and have 
te^ver. beea.»§^e£uJl^ a'emeiiil^ered ; but 
his was of that order of mind which 
derives strength and renewed courag. 
ft-om difficulties and opposition, and he 
is one of that class of men of which 
our country has furnished many bright 
examples,' and for which the cause of 
liberty, literature, and scif^iv.-e, is in- 
' 2 •' B 



t> 



18 SKETCH OF Tlli: LIFE 

debted to the fostering care and equal- 
izing influences of her admirable insti- 
tutions, — who have by strong native 
genius, unshaken fortitude, and un- 
wavering courage, overcome the stern 
barrier which separates poverty and 
its attendant evils from the hopes and 
sacred influences which the lights of 
education and knowledge impart to 
those who are the favoured and happy 
recipients of her elevating and inappre- 
ciable privileges. In the achievement 
of triumphs like these, and under cii 
cumstances most disheartening, the 
obstacle of mere poverty is, perhaps 
not always the greatest. Mankind are 
generally slow in perceiving the merits, 
and in admitting the claims of the 
friendless qj^d . riy—ijn4i^injb- .aJJ^^- ail^^ 
powerful prejudice is among the most 
formidable impediments, wlTn^^-i l*e who 
stands alone, uncheered and unsup- 
ported, is forced to encounter and to 
vanquish as the hard condition" of ulti- 
mate success. 
Towards the close of the year 1796, 



OF HENRY CLAY. 19 

young Clay entered the family of Mr. 
Robert Brooke, an eminent lawyer, and 
formerly governor of Virginia, and his 
only regular study of his profession 
was during the year that he resided 
with this crentleman. 



CHAPTER II. 

Mr. Clay's introduction to Chief Justice Marsiisil! — Biish- 
rod Wp.sliiii^ton — DcT.th of his Brother— Is admitted to 
the Bat — Removes to Kentucky — His early struggles — 
Aiiecdote — Comtneiicement of his poli'ical career — New 
State Constitution — Alien and Sedition laws opposed by 
I>Ir. Clay — Elected to the Legislature — Appointed Sena- 
loi ill Congress. 

The business and social relations of 
Mr, Clay, during a residence at Rich- 
mond, of a little more than six years, 
introduced him to the notice of most 
of the leading irembers of the bar of 
a city which has always been distin- 
s^uished for lesral talent and learninq". 
Chief Jus/ice Marshall, and Mr. Bush- 
rod Washington, were also among the , 
number of his early friends. During 
his residence at Richmond, his eldest 



20 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

brother died, and in the year 1797, 
with a license to practise law, which 
he had received from the judges of the 
Virginia Court of Appeals, he removed 
to Lexington, Kentucky, where, at the 
age of twenty years, friendless and a 
stranger, and destitute of the means 
wherev/ith to pay the small sura de- 
m.anded for his board, he made his 
brief preparations to enter upon the 
busy stage of life in the society of men, 
and in "honourable contention with 
those who had advanced far up the hill 
of fame, and who were already in the 
full enjoyment of high professional 

influence. 

It was a bold, but characteristic ven- 
ture for one so young, thus to launch 
his frail bark into the stormy sea, to 
unfurl its virgin sails upon the bosom 
of its trackless waters, and he its soli- 
tary and inexperienced guide '. Truly 
has it been said, that no subljmer spec- 
tacle can be presented for the admira- 
tion and instruction of mankind, than 
that of a great and good man strug- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 21 

gliiig with adversity. But it was not 
the fate of Mr. Clay to struggle long, 
either for practice as a means of sup- 
port, or for reputation. Wherever his 
destiny called him, he carried that with- 
in which prompted those exertions and 
studies in which he soon excehed his 
contemporaries. 

He early acquired a profound ac- 
quaintance with the principles of law, 
and commanded the respect and confi- 
dence of his veteran rivals and asso- 
ciates at the bar. " 1 remember," says 
he, in his speech at Lexington, in June 
1842, " how comfortable I thought I 
should be, if I could make £100 Vir- 
ginia money per year ; and with what 
delight I received the first fifteen shil- 
lings fee. My hopes were more than 
realized. I immediately rushed into a 
lucrative practice." 

An anecdote is recorded of this pe- 
riod of his life which proves that he is 
indebted to practice for the extraordi- 
nary readiness which he always mani- 
. teats in debate or repartee. He had 



22 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

joined a debating society, and at one 
of the meetings, just as the vote was 
about to be taken, he remarked, in a 
whisper to a person near him, that the 
subject did not appear to him to have 
been exhausted. The member to whom 
the observation was made, exclaimed, 
" do not put the question yet, Mr. Clay 
will speak." The chairman nodded to 
Clay in token of attention, who rose 
v/ith extreme embarrassment, and fal- 
tering out. " Gentlemen of the Jury,''' 
paused as if endeavouring to recover 
his scattered tljoughts. His audience 
with commendable forbearance kindly 
affected not to notice this extraordinary 
commencement, or the agitation of the 
ne\Y speaker, who, after much hesita- 
tion and confusion repeated the v/ords, 
but they were scarcely uttered, when 
rising above the distress and difficulties 
of his novel position, he acquitted him- 
self in the debate in a manner that 
excited general surprise and admira- 
tion. 
An amusing anecdote is also record- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 23 

ed cf his early practice which we are 
tempted to repeat. He had success-' 
fully defended two Germans, a father 
and son, who had been indicted for 
murder ; and an old, withered, and ex- 
tremely ill-favoured woman, wife of the 
elder, and mother -of the younger pri- 
soner, learning the result of the trial, 
rushed into court, and throwing her 
arms around the neck of the young 
advocate, almost suffocated him with 
caresses and kisses in the presence of 
the assembled crowd ! 

Although Mr. Clay was now profita- 
ably engaged in the prosecution of his 
professional avocations, he was not an 
indifferent observer of passing events. 
His political career commenced, indeed, 
almost as early as his professional ; and 
in the exciting scenes which imme- 
diately followed the determination of 
the people of Kentucky to form for 
themselves a new constitution, he was 
a prominent actor, and a fearless and 
able champion of popular rights. 

The prominent feature of the new 



!cJ4 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

constitution, was a provision for the 
prospective eradication of slavery from 
witiiin tiie jurisdiction of Kentucky by 
gradual emancipation. A majority of 
the people were decidedly hostile to the 
measure, but the violence of popular 
opposition did not •deter the young 
lawyer from taking a bold stand by the 
side of those who were friendly to it, 
although he knew that by so doing he 
was placing at hazard the splendid 
prospects of wealth and fame, which 
had so early, unexpectedly, and so 
auspiciously opened upon him. He 
did not hesitate for a moment, but with 
that noble and sel '-sacrificing spirit 
which has since so strongly endeared 
him to his countrymen, and which has 
made his name illustrious among the 
patriotic of mankind, devoted himself 
with fervent zeal to a cause which for- 
cibly appealed to the best feelings of his 
generous nature. The views of Mr, 
Clay upon this momentous question, 
have, as is well known, undergone no 
change, but time has made clearly 



OF HENRY CLAY. 25 

manifest the wisdom and purity of his 
early course in relation to the matter. 
He entertains, however, no sympathy 
with those who have raised the hue 
and cry of unconditional abolition, and 
who, in the accomplishment of their 
mistaken and injurious design, appear 
to be regardless alike of the tranquillity 
of the country, and the preservation of 
that union, in the strength of which we 
achieved our independence, and have 
attained our present exalted degree of 
national greatness and prosperity. 

The institution of slavery deplored 
by none more sincerely than by Mr. 
Clay, and the abolition of which had in 
him an early devoted and manly advo- 
cate of its gradual accomplishment 
by strictly Constitutional means, was 
founded by our English predecessors in 
possession of the soil. It is an evil 
which requires time and skill to eradi- 
cate and heal, and the incendiary spirit 
which has gone abroad among those 
who are ignorant of the principles in- 
volved in its present toleration, or are 
3 



26 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

culpably reckless of the consequences 
of their unwise proceedings, only serve 
to retard a consummation devoutly 
wished by all good and patriotic cit- 
izens. 

To the Alien and Sedition laws, 
passed by Congress in 1798, during the 
administration of the elder President 
Adams, Mr. Clay was heartily and per- 
severingly opposed. 

The first of these celebrated acts 
jointly productive of an excitement 
which agitated the very foundations of 
the infant Republic, provided the man- 
ner in which aliens were to become 
citizens of the United States, and re- 
stricted the facility with which citizen- 
ship had previously been acquired. It 
authorised the President, at his discre- 
tion, to order all aliens whom he might 
consider dangerous to the national 
peace and safety, or who were con- 
cerned in treasonable practices or mea- 
sures, to leave the country. It also 
gave a power to the President to grant 
licenses to aliens to remain during his 



OF HENRY CLAY. ^7 

own good pleasure. It further pro- 
vided imprisonment not exceeding three 
ye-dis to all aliens remaining witliout 
license, and perpetual disqualitication 
for citizenship. It also authorised the 
President to require of aliens bonds 
for their good behaviour, and all com- 
manders were required to report the 
names of such persons arriving in their 
vessels under a penalty of three hun- 
dred dollars. 

The following w^ere the offences made 
punishable by the Sedition law, popu- 
larly denominated the " gag law :" 

Defaming or bringing into contempt, 
the Congress or President. Exciting 
the hatred of the people against them. 
Stirring up sedition in the country, 
raising unlawful combinations for re- 
sisting the laws and legal authorities- 
aiding and abetting foreign nations 
against the country, the people or their 
government. 

Many of these were certainly very 
grave offences ; but for some, adequate 
penalties had already been provided. 



28 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

and with respect to others, it may be 
remarked, that the law prohibiting 
them was a restriction of the liberty of 
expression, not the less intolerable that 
the truth of the libel might be pleaded 
in justification of the accused. 

The following case illustrates the 
practical operation of the Sedition law, 
and is one only among many of the 
oppressive, vexatious and friyolous 
prosecutions to which it gave rise. 
President Adams, on his return from 
the seat of government, passing through 
Newark, was complimented with a dis- 
charge of artillery by the citizens of 
the town in honour of his arrival. A 
Mr. Baldwin, who, it would appear, was 
not very re^iarkable for the delicacy 
of his sentiments, expressed much re- 
gret that the wadding discharged from 
the cannon had not lodged in a par- 
ticular part of the President's person, 
and for this humorous exhibition of 
known dislike, he was actually tried, 
convicted, and fined one hundred dol- 
lars I It was the abuse of this law, ill 



CF HENRY CLAY. 29 

adapted, under any circumstances, for 
the meridian of a people who had so 
recently waged a seven years' v/ar, in 
maintenance of their independence 
from foreign oppression, which ren- 
dered it odious to the country ; and Mr. 
Clay, who has always been a consistent 
advocate of the amplest freedom of 
speech and of the press, launched 
against it the mighty thunders of his 
indignant eloquence. 

Mr. Clay was elected to the Legis- 
lature of his adopted state in the year 
1801, and immediately participated in 
all the leading questions of interest 
which were discussed in that body. 

In December, 1806, when only in his 
twenty-ninth year, he was elected b}- 
the legislature of Kentucky, a Senator 
in Congress, to fill a vacancy which 
had just occurred in that body by the 
resignation of the honourable John 
Ada'ir, and, as the journals will prove, 
he entered at once, and with character- 
istic activity and zeal, upon the ex- 
alted and untried duties of the station. 
3* 



so SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

Here was made his earliest manifesta- 
tion of devotion to the cause of inter- 
nal improvement, and he vi^as imme- 
diately distinguished among the ablest 
legislators of his country. We shall 
be pardoned for a momentary trespass 
upon our limits in pausing here, to con- 
trast the position held, at this time by 
this remarkable man, with the friendless 
destitution of that which he occupied 
but nine years before ! 



CHAPTER III. 

Mr. Clay's election a second time to the Legislature — Ap- 
pointed Speaker of Assembly — Re-eiecled to the Senate 
of the United States — Madison's rroclama'.ion — Origin 
of the title of "The Great Commoner" — Is elected 
Representative in Congress — Chosen Speaker — War 
Declared, &c., &c. 

The period for which Mr. Clay had 
been chosen Senator was but for a 
single session, and upon the adjourn- 
ment of Congress he was again elected 
to the Kentucky Legislature, and was 
soon after appointed speaker of the 
Assembly. He not only performed, 



OF HENRY CLAY. 31 

with unsurpassed ability, the duties of 
this new position, but, entering upon 
the arena of debate, actively and elo- 
quently participated in the discussion 
of all the leading questions before the 
house. 

In the winter of 1809-10, Mr. Clay 
was a second time elected by a large 
majority to the Senate of the United 
States, again to fill a vacancy which 
had occurred by the resignation of Mr. 
Buckner, and it was during this session 
of Congress that Mr. Clay proclaimed 
his early and cherished predilection for 
that truly American Sj^stem of which 
he is the Father, and which, by encou- 
raging domestic industry, and manu- 
facture, would render us independent 
of the pauper labour of other nations, 
and thus lay broad and deep, the foun- 
dations of real independence,, and of 
permanent national prosperity. 

The limited space allotted to this 
sketch, will not permit us to dwell upon 
any of the great measures with whicR 
Mr. Clay is identified. To many of 



32 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

them, indeed, we cannot even allude. 
From the period of his second entrance 
into the Senate of the United States, 
his life has been spent in the service 
of his country, and his country's his- 
tory, down to his recent, final, and 
voluntary retirement from public life, 
is the noblest monument to his fame. 

When President Madison issued his 
proclamation, declaring that the terri- 
tory between the Mississippi and Per- 
dido rivers, and comprising a large 
portion of Western Florida, was subject 
to the laws of the United States, and 
upon which it was contended that we 
had no legal claim, Mr. Clay boldly 
and eloquently defended the President 
from the fierce assaults of opposition, 
and triumphantly vindicated the na- 
tional title to the land. 

One of the Senators had expressed 
the deep interest he felt in the fate of 
the Spanish King. Mr. Clay, in reply, 
exclaimed, " I shall leave the honoura- 
ble gentleman from Delaware to mourn 
oyer the, fate of the fallen Charles. I 



OF HENHY CLAY. 33 

have no commiseration for Princes. 
31]/ sympathies are <$// reserved for the 
great mass of mankind ; and I oivn 
that the people of Spain have them 
most sincerely.''^ 

It was the eloquent and overpower- 
ing expression of this generous sym- 
pathy for the people, and of honest 
devotion to their great interests, both 
in the speeches he delivered at home 
and in the Senate, that procured for 
him about this time, the title of the 
"Great Commoner." Preferring a seat 
in the House of Representatives, to a 
re-election to the Senate, Mr. Clay was 
returned a member of the popular 
branch of the national legislature, and 
was chosen Speaker in 1812. He was 
an earnest friend of the patriotic ad- 
ministration of Madison, and gave to 
his prominent measures a hearty sup- 
port. In April of this year, Mr. Madi- 
son recommended that a " general em- 
bargo be laid on all vessels now in 
port, or hereafter arriving, for the 
period of sixty days." In the discus- 



S4 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

sion of this measure Mr. Clay largely 
shared and advocated it with his ac- 
customed zeal and ability. He declared 
that he *' approved of it because it is 
to be viewed as a direct precursor to 
war." John Randolph and Josiah 
Gluincy were foremost in strenuous 
opposition, and they were among the 
intellectual giants of those days. Mr. 
Clay, however, did not hesitate to meet 
them, and it has been said that he was 
a " flame of fire," upon this occasion. 
"He had now brought Congress to the 
verge of what he conceived to be a 
war lor liberty and honour, and his 
voice rang through the capitol like e 
trumpet tone sounding for the onset 
On the subject of the policy of thf 
embargo, his eloquence, like a Romap 
phalanx, bore down all opposition, and 
he put to shame those of his oppo- 
nents, who flouted the government a? 
being unprepared for war." As had 
been anticipated and predicted by Mr. 
Clay, the Declaration of War against 
Great Britain immediately followed, 



OF HENRY CLAY. 35 

and received from him that warm and 
powerful support without which it 
could hardly have been prosecuted to 
a successful and honourable close. 

The dignity and commercial inde- 
pendence of the nation had been, for a 
long series of years, arrogantly assailed 
by the British, and the time had at 
lensTth arrived, when a decisive demon- 
stration of resentment was essential to 
the preservation of the national honour. 
Under such circumstances, and uro'ed 
by such considerations, it was charac- 
teristic of this noblest champion of 
American liberty to give to the war 
upon which his country had entered, 
all the support of his transcendant abili- 
ties. " My plan,'' said he, " would be 
to call out the amplest resources of the 
country, give them a judicious direc- 
tion, prosecute the war with the ut- 
most vigour, strike wherever we can 
reach the enemy, at sea or on land, and 
negociate the terms of a peace at Glue- 
bee or at Halifax. We are told that 
England is a proud and lofty nation, 



36 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

which, disdaining to wait for danger, 
meets it half way. Haughty as she is, 
we once triumphed over her, and if we 
do not listen to the counsels of timidity 
and despair, we shall again prevail. In 
such a cause, with the aid of Provi- 
dence, we must be crowned with suc- 
cess ; but .if we fail, let us fail like 
men, — lash ourselves to our gallant 
tars, and expire together in one com- 
mon struggle, Jigkting for free trade 
and seamen's righis.^^ 

The Presidential election occurred at 
this time, and Mr. Madison was re- 
elected by a majority of thirty-nine 
votes over De Witt Clinton, in the 
electoral colleges. 

The war-party, of which Mr. Clay 
was at once the ruling spirit and the 
head, was thus sustained by the people. 
. In 1813, Mr. Clay was again chosen 
Speaker of the House of Representa- 
tives by a large majority. Many of 
those who most ably and strenuously 
opposed the war, did so without doubt, 
from the purest motives, — others, how* 



OF HJaNilY CLAY* 37 

ever, opposed it through fear of the 
power and avenging w^rath of our 
haughty mother ; but this pusillanimous 
objection was met at its threshold by- 
Mr. Clay, \\ 1th a sublimity of patriotism 
which has seldom been equalled, and 
never surpassed, " Sir," said he, in ad- 
dressing the Committee of the whole 
House, "Is the time never to arrive 
when we may manage our own affairs 
without the fear of insulting the majesty 
of England] Is the rod of British 
power to be forever suspended over 
our heads'? Does Congress put an 
embargo to shelter our rightful com- 
merce against the piratical depredations 
committed upon it on the ocean 1 We 
are immediately warned of the indig- 
nation of offended England ! Is a law 
of non-intercourse proposed] The 
whole navy of the haughty Mistress of 
the seas is made to thunder in our ears I 
Does the President refuse to continue 
a correspondence with a Minister who 
violates the decorum belonging to his 
diplomatic character, by giving and de- 

4 



3S SKETCH or THE LIFE 

liberately repeating an affront to the 
whole nation ] We are instantly men- 
aced with the chastisement which Eng- 
lish pride will not fail to inflict ! 
Whether we assert our rights by sea, 
or attempt their maintenance by land, 
wheresoever we turn ourselves, this 
phantom incessantly pursues us !" 



CHAPTER IV. 

Clay resigns the Speakership— Is appointed Cornnris- 
sioner to Ghent— His great ability— Is re-elected to Con- 
gress — Compensation Bill — Anecdote— South American 
Independence— Mr. Clay's .popularity in South America 
— Correspondence with Bolivar— Internal ImproveiEent 
— Cumberland Road Monument. 

In January, 1814, Mr. Clay resigned 
the office of Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, and, as one of the 
Commissioners appointed for that pur- 
pose, proceeded to Ghent to negotiate 
a peace with England. To the great 
diplomatic ability he displayed during 
this memorable mission, Mr. John Q,. 
Adams, who was associated with him, 
and than whom there can be no better 



OF HENRY CLAY. 39 

judge, has borne the strongest testi- 
mony, which the country has abun- 
dantly confirmed. During his absence 
at Gaeiii lie was re-elected to Congress ; 
but doubts having arisen respecting 
the legality, under such circumstances, 
of the proceedings of his constituents, 
upon his return a new election was 
ordered, and with the same result. 

Mr. Clay, as we have heard, never 
canvassed for a seat in Congress but 
once. During this canvass he met 
with an old hunter who had always 
been friendly towards him, but who now 
opposed his election on account of his 
course in connection with what was 
termed the "Compensation Bill." A 
proposition had been made to give to 
each member of Congress a yearly 
salary of fifteen hundred dollars. Mr. 
Clay preferred an increase of daily 
compensation to a fixed salary, " Have 
you," said he to the hunter, "a good 
rifie, my friend V " Yes," was the an- 
swer. "Did it never flash.?" "Once 
<>nly,*' he replied. " Did you throw it 



40 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

away?" "No," replied the hunter, "I 
picked the flint, tried it again, and 
brought down the game." " Have I," 
asked Mr. Clay, " ever flashed but on 
the Compensation Bill r' " No." " Will 
you then throw me away?" "No, no," 
exclaimed the excited man, nearly over- 
come by the intensity of his feelings, 
"I will pick the flint and try you 
again." He became from that time, a 
warm friend and supporter of Mr. 
Clay. 

There was, at this time, residing at 
Lexington, an Irish barber, who, at all 
elections previously to the passage of 
the unpalatable bill to which allusion 
has been made, had manifested the ut- 
most zeal for Mr. Clay. He had, in- 
deed, often profited by his counsel and 
assistance when involved in those diffi- 
culties to which his w^arm -hearted and 
impetuous countrymen are, of all men, 
most exposed, but after the passage of 
the "Compensation Bill," he became 
distrustful, and reserved — was no 
longer active, and manifested a total 



OF HENRY CLAY. 41 

indifference as to the result of the can- 
vass. At length he was questioned 
upon the subject by a gentleman for 
whose opinions and character he had 
professed a high respect. "I tell you 
what, docthur," he replied, " I mane to 
vote for the man that can put but one 
hand into the treasury." In early 
youth, Mr. Pope, the able and respect- 
able opponent, at this time, of Mr. 
Clay, had lost one of his arms I But 
the Irishman's heart, like the hearts of 
his countrymen generally, was in the 
right place. He repented of his ingrati- 
tude, and meeting Mr. Clay afterward 
in the street, he burst into tears as he 
accosted him, voluntarily confessed that 
he had wronged him, and that his wife 
had also reproached him for his con- 
duct. "Don't you remember, Jerry," 
she said, '• when you were in jail, Mr. 
Clay came to you and made the baste 
of a jailor let you out V 

At the next session of Congress, Mr. 
Clay voted for the repeal of this un- 
popular Bill, and strongly advocated 
4* 



42 SKETCH OP THE LIFE 

tlie recognition of South American In- 
dependence. He was opposed for the 
reason, that the people of that country 
were believed to be too ignorant to ap- 
preciate the blessings of Liberty, and to 
conduct and sustain a system of gov- 
ernment, founded upon free principles. 
To these objections, Mr. Clay replied 
that he was " no propagandist. He 
would not force upon other nations our 
principles of Liberty if they did not 
want them. He v/ould not disturb the 
repose even, of a detestable despotism." 
With regard to the superstition of the 
South Americans, he said, " they wor- 
ship the same God with us. Their 
prayers were offered up in their temples 
to the same Redeemer whose interces- 
sion we expected to save us. Nor was 
there anything in the Roman Catholic 
religion unfavourable to freedom. All 
religions united with government, were 
more or less inimical to liberty. All 
separated from government, were com- 
patible with liberty." *' Are we not 
bound," he asked, " upon our own 



OF HENRY CLAY. 43 

principles, to acknowledge this new 
Republic ! If we do not, toho will 1" 

We have learned from a gentleman 
who has travelled in South America, 
that the noble speeches, pronounced by 
i\Ir. Clay in support of his motion for 
the recognition of Colombian Inde- 
pendence, were printed and suspended 
in the Legislative Halls and Council 
Chambers of that country, and that his 
name was mentioned only to be blessed 
by the people whose cause he had so 
ably and so eloquently espoused. 

In 1827 Mr. Clay received from Presi- 
dent Bolivar, a letter expressive of the 
high sense entertained by that distin- 
guished personage of his talents and cha- 
racter, and acknowledging the obliga- 
tion conferred upon the people of South 
America, by the effective and timely 
service which he had rendered to their 
cause. The reply of Mr. Clay, lind 
which v/e regret our inability to copy 
entire, is alone sufficient to give the lie 
to every imputation Vv'hich, vrith pre- 
meditated falsehood, has been cast upon 



A 



4 SKETCH OP THE LIFE 



him, of aristocratic predilections, and 
of an inordinate love of power. It is 
the production of., a mind, conscious 
of rectitude, and conscious also of 
having deserved the homage of gra- 
titude and respect thus spontaneous- 
ly offered, and of one, who having 
from his cradle, breathed the pure at- 
mosphere of liberty, and imbibed its 
noblest principles, feels itself entitled to 
address, even to the " Liberator" of 
South America, the language of admo- 
nition, and to assiuiie the part of an 
expounder and defender of what he 
rightly regarded as the inestimable and 
inalienable birth-riaht of man. 

" I should," he writes in reply to 
Bolivar, " be unworthy of the consid- 
eration with which your Excellency 
honours me, and deviate from the frank- 
ness which I have ever endeavoured to 
practice, if I did not on this occasion, 
state, that ambitious designs have been 
attributed by your enemies to your 
Excellency, which have created, in my 
mind, great solicitude. * * * I cannot 



OF HENRY CLAY. 45 

allow myself to believe that your Ex- 
cellency will abandon the bright and 
glorious path which lies plainly before 
you, for the bloody road passing over 
the liberties of the human race, on 
which the vulgar crowd of tyrants and 
military despots have so often trodden. 
I will not doubt that your Excellency 
will, in due time, render a satisfactory 
explanation to Colombia and to the 
world, of the parts of your public con- 
duct which have excited any distrust ; 
and that, preferring the true glory of 
our immortal Washington, to the igno- 
ble fame of the destroyers of Liberty, 
you have formed the patriotic resolu- 
tion of ultimately placing the freedom 
of Colombia upon a firm and sure 
foundation." 

Mr. Clay's exertions in Congress were 
now made in behalf of Internal Im- 
provement, and with his accustomed 
success. It is, indeed, to his able and 
persevering efforts that we are in- 
debted for the finest road in the United 
States, — the great Cumberland road 



46 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

which crosses the AUeghanies. Tri al- 
lusion to this great national work in 
one of his congressional speeches, he 
said : " We have had to beg, entreat, 
supplicate you, session after session, to 
grant the necessary appropriations to 
complete the road. I have myself toiled 
until my powers have been exhausted 
and prostrated, to prevail on you tc» 
make the grant." 

He may almost be regarded as the 
father of this great enterprise, and we 
well remember, when a boy, while 
travelling in the West, the admiration 
with which we gazed upon the beauti- 
ful monument erected in commemora- 
tion of his efforts, upon the Cumber- 
land, Road. It is surmounted by the 
genius of Liberty, records the exertions 
in behalf of the measure, of the hon. 
oured object of a nation's gratitude, 
and bears, as a further inscription, the 
now time-honoured name of " Henry 
Clay." 



OF HENRY CLAY. 47 



CHAPTER V. 

General Jackson — Florida Campaign — Aibuthnot and 
Ambrister — Mr. Clay's appreciation of Jackson's mili- 
tary services — Mr. Clay's macnanimity — Tariff— Op- 
posed by Mr VVebst&r — Defended with great power by 
Mr. Clay — Its effects — John Randolph — Mr. Clay'* 
retort upon him. 

It was during the session of 1819 
that the conduct of General Jackson, 
in the prosecution of his Florida Cam- 
paign, was discussed in Congress. The 
principle measures for which he was 
censured were the harsh conditions ftf 
his proceedings and terms with the 
Indians — the execution of the two Eng- 
lish prisoners of war, Arbuthnot and 
Ambrister, and the seizure of the then 
Spanish ports of St. Marks, and of 
Pensacola. It is well known that these 
arbitrary acts of the General did not 
meet with the approbation of Mr. Clay. 
Indeed, he was compelled by the cir- 
cumstances of his position in Congress 
to meet them with direct censure. His 
grateful appreciation however, of the 
important military services rendered 
by Jackson, prompted the exercise of 

E 



48 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

characteristic kindness and forbearance 
on the part of Mr. Clay, in his re- 
luctant animadversions upon conduct 
which it was impossible for him as a 
faithful public servant to pass over in 
silence. So far as he had the power he 
threw the broad mantle of charity over 
the deeds he condemned. To the 
motives of the distinguished object of 
censure, he has always awarded the 
fullest justice ; and never was he more 
ready to admit the purity of the Gen- 
eral's intentions, than in the midst of 
the exciting debate to which his con- 
duct gave rise. "I am disposed," said 
he, "to allow it in the most extensive 
degree. Of his acts, it is my duty to 
speak with the freedom which belongs 
to my station." The whole of Mr 
Clay's subsequent conduct in relation 
to General Jackson, has been charac- 
terised by the same noble magnanimity, 
and that too, upon occasions when its 
practice could not have been antici- 
pated. That devoted and generous 
patriotism which, in a peculiar manner 



OF HENRY CLAY. 49 

and degree, distinguishes Mr. Clay 
above all his contemporaries, has ever 
been sufficiently powerful to create, in 
his bosom, esteem for those who have 
zealously served their country; and he 
has, accordingly, on all suitable occa- 
sions, not only awarded the highest; 
praise to Jackson's military achieve- 
ments, but has never hesitated to pro- 
claim his gratitude for the noble ser- 
vices Vv'hich that distinguished per- 
sonage has — in his proper vocation — 
rendered to the country; and it will be 
more injurious to the Ex-President than 
to Mr. Clay, if he has failed to imitate 
this high-toned magnanimity. 

In 1820 the subject of a Tariff which 
had often before engaged the attention 
of Congress, and of which Mr. Clay- 
was ever the strenuous and able advo- 
cate, was again discussed by the peo- 
ple's representatives, and he renewed 
his earnest appeals in favour of his fa- 
vourite American system. " I frankly 
own," said he in a speech delivered ar 
this time, " that I feel great solicitude 

5 D 



50 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

for the success of this measure. The 
entire independence of my country on 
all foreign states, as it respects a supply 
of our essential wants, has ever been 
with me, a favourite object. The war 
of our revolution effected our political 
emancipation. The last war contri- 
buted greatly towards accomplishing 
our commercial freedom. But our 
complete independence will only be 
consummated after the policy of this 
bill shall be recognized and adopted. 
We have, indeed, great difficulties to 
contend with; old habits — colonial 
usages — the enormous profits of a 
foreign trade prosecuted under favour- 
able circumstances, which no longer 
continue. I will not despair. The 
cause, I verily believe, is the cause of 
the country. It may be postponed ; it 
may be frustrated for the moment, but 
it finally must prevail." 

The Tariff bill was ultimately lost in 
the Senate. In 1824 the subject was 
again revived, and a new Tariff bill 
reported to the House by the Commit- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 51 

tee on Manufactures ; and Mr. Clay- 
made, on the occasion, his matchless 
speech in support of American Indus- 
try. Mr. Webster opposed the bill 
with all the force of his great abilities, 
but he was answered by Mr. Clay in a 
speech of surpassing eloquence and 
power, in which he reviewed and tri- 
umphantly refuted the objections that 
had been urged against it. The bill 
became a law in April of the same 
year, and eight years afterwards, in 
recalling the gloomy aspect of affairs 
in 1824, he thus describes the happy 
results of his far-seeing policy : 

" I have now to perform the pleasing 
task of exhibiting an imperfect sketch 
of the existing state — of the unparallel- 
ed prosperity of the country. On a 
general survey v/e behold cultivation 
extending, the arts flourishing, the face 
of the country improved, our people 
fully and profitably employed, and the 
public countenance exhibiting tranquil- 
lity, contentment and happiness. And, 
if we descend into particulars, we have 



52 SKETCH OF THE LITE 

the agreeable contemplatian of a people 
out of debt ; land rising slowly in value., 
but in a secure and salutarj? degree ; a 
ready, though not extravagant market 
for all the surplus productions of our 
industry ; innumerable flocks and herds 
browsing and gamboling on ten thou- 
sand hills and plains covered with rich 
and verdant grasses ; our cities ex- 
panding, and whole villages springing 
up, as it were, by enchantment; our 
exports and imports increased and in- 
creasing, our tonnage, foreign and 
coastwise, swelling and fully occupied : 
the rivers of our interior, animated by 
the thunder and lightning of countless 
steam-boats; the currency sound and 
abundant ; the public debt of two wars 
nearly redeemed ; and, to crown all, 
the public treasury overflowing, em- 
barrassing Congress, not to lind sub- 
jects of taxation, but to select the 
objects which shall be relieved from 
the impost. If the term of seven years 
were to be selected of the greatest 
prosperity, which this people have en- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 53 

joyed since the establishment of their 
present constitution, it would be exactly 
that period of seven years which im- 
mediately followed the passage of the 
tariff of 1824." 

In Mr. John Randolph, so celebrated 
for bis oratorical abilities, eccentricities, 
and violence, the tariff bill had a bitter 
and an untiring opponent; and one 
who was not sparing of his malignant 
personal taunts at Mr. Clay, whom he 
rightly regarded as the great father of 
the measure. The history of this re- 
markable individual is fraught with 
instruction and admonition to ail pub- 
lic men. His rancorous partizanship 
and personal animosities absorbed 
every feeling, and taxed every power 
of his strong and gifted mind, leaving 
nothing for his country, to which his: 
great talents, if properly and steadily 
directed, might have been at once an 
ornament and a blessing, illustrating 
the principles and developing the re- 
sources of her political system, and 
creating towards himself a debt of 
5* 



54 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

gratitude which would have been long 
and proudly acknowledged. With a 
heart thus unhappily constituted, he 
seemed to have no sympathy with his 
fellow-men, but wrapped in self, and 
aware that he was better adapted for 
the work of demolition than construc- 
tion, he appeared to rejoice in a cynical 
and habitual opposition to the great 
and patriotic statesmen with whom he 
was associated. 

"Can he love the whole 
Who loves no part ? He be a nation's friend 
Who is, in truth, the friend of no man there ? 
Can he be strenuous in his country's cause 
Wlio slights tlie charities, for whose dear sake 
That country, if at all, must be beloved?" 

" Sir," said Mr. Clay on one occasion, 
in reply to Mr. Randolph, " the gentle- 
man from Virginia was pleased to say 
that, in one point, at least, he coincided 
with me, in an humble estimate of my 
grammatical and philological acquire- 
ments. I know my deficiencies. I was 
horyi to no proud patrimonial estate; 
from my father I inhernted only infan- 
cy, ignorance^ and indigence. I feel my 



OF HENRY CLAY. 55 

defects ; but so far as my situation in 
early ]ife is concerned, I may, without 
presumption, say they are more my 
misfortune than my fault. But, how- 
ever I deplore my want of abihty to 
furnish to the gentleman a better speci- 
men of powers of verbal criticism, I 
will venture to say, my regret is not 
greater than the disappointment of this 
Committee as to the strength of his 
argument." 



CHAPTER VI. 

ISIiesouri Question — Excitement — Mr. Clay resigns (he 
Speaker^hip — He proposes a plan of Accommoilation — 
The Great Pacificator — Jiu (F esprit — Greece — Mr. 
Clay's Speech — He is nominated for the Presidency — 
Failure ot the people to elect a President — Harrison's 
friendship for Mr. Clay. 

The great, exciting and, at the time, 
all-absorbing '•'•Missouri Question,'''' was 
debated in Congress during the session 
of 1820-21. It is hardly necessary to 
remind the intelligent reader, that the 
point at issue was, whether or not 
Missouri should be admitted into the 



56 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

Union as a slave state. The discussion - 
of this vexed question was continued 
ibr several months, with wonderful 
ability, but with an intensity of bitter- 
ness and fierceness without precedent 
in the annals of legislation. The noble 
vessel of state was tempest-tost on the 
angry and overwhelming billows of 
party strife, and those who had never 
before despaired of her safety, beheld 
nothing in prospect but the inevitable 
destruction, the total wreck of the most 
splendid fabric which the wisdom and 
.genius of man had yet devised for the 
happiness, security, and elevation of his 
race. Rufus King, John Sergeant, and 
Mr. Otis were the most prominent 
.imong those who advocated the ex- 
clusion of slavery from the new state, 
and they with their coadjutors, were 
zealously opposed by Henry Clay, John 
Randolph, Louis McLane, and others 
of eminent abilities ; yet with each re- 
newal of the subject for several con- 
secutive sessions, the prospect of a safe 
and amicable adjustment of the dis- 



OP HENRY CLAY. 57 

tracting question, seemed, to the actors 
and to the nation, more and more 
hopeless. 

Meanwhile heavy pecuniary losses 
and an utter derangement of his pri- 
vate affairs, consequent upon long ser- 
vice in Congress, and an almost exclu- 
sive attention to his laborious and 
engrossing public duties, compelled 
Mr. Clay to resign the office of Speak- 
er, and with it his membership of the 
House of Representatives; but in con- 
sideration of the agitation of the public 
mind, and the danger of disunion, aris- 
ing from the continued and still angry 
discussion of the Missouri (Question, 
both in Congress and among the peo- 
ple, he was prevailed upon to retain his 
seat in the House until the expiration 
of the period for which he had been 
elected, although he no longer con- 
tinued to preside over its deliberations. 
The subject of the admission of Mis- 
souri into the Union, had now occupied 
the attention of Congress, and of the 
country, during the greater part of 



58 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

three entire sessions, threatening dis- 
union at every stage of its gloomy- 
progress, when in 1821, and just before 
his retirement from Congress, Mr. 
Clay proposed a plan of settlement 
and accommodation, which was finall}'' 
adopted by an overwhelming majority 
of the House, and unanimously by the 
Senate. His appeals to the patriotism 
of Congress, were frequent, strong, and 
brilliantly eloquent, and it was in the 
final, amicable disposition of this preg- 
nant controversy, that he first won the 
proud title of " The Great Pacifica- 
tor." 

After an absence of three years from 
Congress, Mr. Clay, at the earnest 
solicitation of his former constituents, 
consented to a nomination, and was 
elected, without opposition, a Repre- 
sentative in Congress, and was chosen 
Speaker of that body upon the first bal- 
lot, by a majority of ninety-seven votes 
over Philip P. Barbour, the late incum- 
bent. The following jeu d'esprit ap- 



OF IIEXRY CLAY. 59 

peared in the newspapers, soon after 
the election : 

' As near the Potomac's broad stream, t'other day, 

Fair Liberty strolled, in solicitous mood. 
Deep pondering the future— unheeding her way — 

She met goddess Mature beside a green wood ; 
'Good mother,' she cried, 'deign to help me at need!' 

" I must make for my guardians, a Speaker, to-day;' 
'The lirst in the wovld I would give them.' ' Indeed!' 

' When / made the first Speaker, I made him of 
CLAY.' " 

In 1823, Mr. Webster submitted to 
Congress a proposition providing for 
the appointment of a Commissioner 
to Christian Greece, then struggling 
against the unparalleled cruelties and 
oppressions of the " Tarbaned Turk ;" 
and Mr. Clay, equally a stranger to 
debasing jealousy which, unhappily, 
prompts to the commission of unwor- 
thy deeds, and to that despicable envy 
which seeks to tear the laurel from a 
favoured brow, stood side by side with 
Mr. Webster, in defence of that illus- 
trious and injured people. 

" Are we," exclaimed Mr. Clay, to 
the opponents of the proposition, " so 



60 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

humbled, so low, so debased, that we 
dare not express our sympathy for suf- 
fering Greece, that we dare not articu- 
late our detestation of tlie brutal ex- 
cesses of which she has been the bleed- 
ins: victim, lest we misrht offend som.e 
one or more of their imperial and royal 
majesties? * * * If the great body of 
Christendom can look on calmly and 
coolly, while all this is perpetrated on 
a Christian people in its own immediate 
vicinity, in its very presence, let us at 
least, evince that one of its remote ex- 
tremities is susceptible of sensibility to 
Christian wrongs, and capable of sym- 
pathy for Christian sufferings ; that in 
this remote quarter of the world there 
are hearts not yet closed against com- 
passion for human woes — that can 
pour out their indignant feelings at the 
oppression of a people endeared to us 
by every ancient recollection, and 
every modern tie. Sir, it has been 
attempted to alarm this Committee by 
the dangers of our commerce on the 
^Mediterranean ; and a wretched invoice 



OF HENRY CLAY. 61 

of Jigs and opium lias been spread be- 
fore us to repress our sensibilities, and 
eradicate our humanity. Ah ! sir, ' what 
shall it profit a man if he gain the 
whole v/orld and lose his own soulf 
or what shall it avail a nation to save 
the v/hole of a miserable trade and 
lose its liberties 1" 

In 1822, Mr. Clay was nominated, by 
the Legislature of Kentucky, as the 
successor of President Monroe, whose 
second term of service would expire 
on the 4th of March, 1824. It is well 
known that the other prominent candi- 
dates for the succession were Messrs. 
John Q,uincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, 
and Wm. H. Crav/fbrd. Mr. Calhoun, 
although not a candidate, had been 
nominated by a strong body of his 
political admirers. He, however, early 
withdrew his name, and the contest 
v/as confined to the friends of Mr. Clay, 
and those of the gentlemen whom we 
have named. It was soon discovered 
that the peoj'tle would fail to elect a 
President by the votes of the electoral 
6 



62 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

colleges, and that the responsible duty 
of selection would devolve upon their 
Representatives in Congress. 

On the eve of the Presidential elec- 
tion a report was widely circulated by 
the friends of one of the opposing can- 
didates that Mr. Clay had withdrawn 
from the contest, and his prospects 
were, in consequence, much injured 
before his friends in Ohio -among the 
foremost and most zealous of whom 
was the lamented Harrison, — could 
issue a declaration in which they pro- 
claimed that their candidate " would 
not be withdrawn but by the fiat of his 
Maker." 

We may here remark that the " good 
President" Harrison was always a 
warm, personal friend of Mr. Clay, 
and made no secret of his just and 
patriotic sentiments, in regard to him. 
In a letter written in 1835, when many 
were pressing his own claims, he gene- 
rously declares : " Under no circum- 
stances will I suffer myself to be put 
in competition with Mr. Clay. In re- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 63 

ference to the other gentlemen who 
have been brought before the people, 
as suitable persons from whom the 
Whig candidate for the Presidency is 
to be chosen, it is my determination to 
yield to neither of them the track who 
may be thus chosen. But Mr. Clay 
has far higher claims upon me, and if 
the question is between us, I shall 
leave it to himself to decide it, even if 
the majority of our friends should have 
decided in my favour." 



CHAPTER VII. 

Election of President by the Representatives of the people 
—Mr. CJay's opinions of the Candidates — Mr. Oraw- 
ford— An infamous Calumny— lis Refutation— Mr. Ma- 
dison's intention to confer a hish military appointment 
upon Mr. Clay - Mr. CJay's inllutnce and importance 
as Speaker prevents the appointment — Mr. ]Monroe- 
Offers Mr. Clay a seat in the Cabinet— A foreign Mis- 
sion-Noble conductof Mr. Clay -Ungenerous De- 
claration of Colonel Johnson— Anecdote. 

The election, as had been anticipated, 
now devolved upon the House of Re- 
presentatives, and the position occupied 
by Mr. Clay was one of extreme diffi- 



64 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

culty, delicacy, and importance. His 
personal and official inliuence was im- 
mense, — upon his decision, the fate of 
the candidates was suspended, and his 
course, therefore, became an object of 
great solicitude to the nation. His 
opinions had not been concealed in 
regard to the three individuals who, by 
Constitutional provision, were returned 
to the House. In letters and in con- 
versation, long before it was under- 
stood that the election would devolve 
upon Congress, he had expressed his 
predilection, and declared the course 
he should take in the event of a failure 
on the part of the people to elect their 
President. 

The evident physical inability of Mr. 
Crawford to discharge the duties of the 
Presidency, narrowed the choice of the 
House to the two highest candidates, 
Messrs. Adams and Jackson, and while 
the issue was yet undetermined, an 
infamous attempt was made, by the 
imputation of corrupt motives, to force 
Mr. Clay into the abandonment of his 



OF HEaNRY CLAY. 65 

well-known preference of the former. 
The calumny found a fitting vehicle in 
a rabid and scurrilous newspaper pub- 
lished at Philadelphia, and being caught 
up and re-echoed by the affiliated press- 
es thrqughout the Union, was made the 
text of disappointed and unprincipled 
partizans, by ringing the changes on 
which they succeeded, to a considera- 
ble extent, in deceiving the ignorant 
and unreflecting. 

The charge was, in substance, that 
by an understanding between Mr. 
Adams and Mr. Clay, the latter was to 
receive the appointment of Secretary 
of State in reivard for his vote and in- 
fluence in placing the former in the 
Presidential chair! It is extremely 
difficult, at this late day, to record with 
patience, a slander so vile in itself, and 
so absurdly destitute of truth or proba- " 
bility to support or excuse its malicrnant 
fabrication, ° 

What was Mr. Clay's position in 
public afl^airs at this time ? The simple 
answer to this question is a conclusive 



E 



(;6 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

refutation of the charge. He occupied 
ti-.e Chair of Speaker of the House of 
the Representatives of the people of 
the United States. In the discharge 
of the duties of this high and responsi- 
ble office, at that time second in in- 
fluence only to that of the President, 
he had acquired a reputation co-exten- 
sive with the country, and was an 
object of interest and pride to the 
whole people as the " unrivalled Speak- 
er." Could the exchange of the advan- 
tages, the influence, and the reputation 
attendant upon this elevated station, 
for the drudgery, inadequate compen- 
sation and comparative obscurity— so 
far as this country was concerned— of 
a Secretaryship, be regarded as a Re- 
ward by him who would consent to 
make it 1 But the slander was reitera- 
ted over and again by those by whom 
it had been originally promulgated, 
until a large body of the people— that 
people to whom he had been so long, 
so successfully and so earnestly de- 
voted—forgetful of his pre-eminent 



OP HENRY CLAY. 67 

services, and of his high claims, from 
character, station and fame, to their 
unlimited confidence and regard, at 
length gave credence to it, and sympa- 
thising with the party whom they erro- 
neously supposed to be injured, did 
grievous injustice to men whose past 
history, and elevated standing placed 
them above the temptation, and should 
have shielded them from the imputation 
or suspicion, of wrong. 

It is not, vv-e believe, generally known 
that ]\Ir. Madison, at the commence- 
ment of the war, designed to appoint 
Mr. Clay Commander in Chief of the 
Army of the United States. For his 
eminent fitness for a station involving 
duties so arduous and responsible, no 
doubts were entertained then, so uni- 
versally favourable was the impression 
in regard to his versatile talents ; and 
none who are acquainted with Mr. 
Clay, or possess a knowledge of his 
character, temperament and services, 
will entertain them now. He was, 
however, the main support of the 



68 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

Madisonian adn;iinistration, and could 
not be spared from the House, for 
which reason only his nomination to 
the Senate was withlield by the Presi- 
dent. Here was a very strong" proof 
of the confidence of Mr. Madison in 
the abihty, patriotism and courage of 
Mr. Clay, who afterwards declined re- 
peated offers of appointment to the 
highest offices in the bestowment of 
this gentleman, whose estimate of his 
talents was so exalted that he twice 
tendered him a seat in his Cabi- 
net, and, when this was declined, a 
foreign mission of the first grade. 

By ivir. Monroe, the successor of Mr. 
Madison, he was, indeed, importuned 
to accept a Secretaryship, and when he 
found that he could not prevail upon 
Mr. Clay to comply with his, earnest 
wish in this matter, he offered him a 
Carte Blanche of all the foreign mis- 
sions. 

No reflecting or candid mind will 
doubt or deny that if, through Mr. 
Clay's influence, the election either of 



OF HENRY CLAY. G9 

General Jackson, or of Mr. Crawford, 
had been secured, the most honourable 
otiice in the President's gift would have 
been proposed to him as his right. 
Vv'hat possible advantage then, we may 
ask, could Mr. Clay secure to himself 
by his inliuence in the election of Mr. 
Adams, which he had not before re- 
peatedly refused, or, now desiring, was 
not certain of receiving from either of 
the other candidates 1 

It ' is well known to all intelligent 
men, that from the period of the Semi- 
nole war, to that of the unexpected 
nomination of General Jackson for the 
Presidency, Mr. Clay had entertained 
and expressed but one opinion in re- 
gard to his civil qualifications. Of the 
positive and comparative fitness of Mr. 
Adams for the Presidential office, he 
was from long and intimate association 
fully qualified to judge: and he would 
have proved strangely false to his pro- 
fessions, to his country, and to his own 
fame, if, with his strong convictions in 
regard to the widely differing charac- 



70 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

ters of these eminent men, and of their 
respective claims to civic honours, he 
had, for a single moment, hesitated as 
to the course which daty so plainly in- 
dicated, and so forcibly urged him to 
adopt. Why then, it may be asked, 
did he abandon those advantages to 
which we have adverted, as attaching 
to the office of Speaker, and accept a 
prominent appointment in the Cabinet 
of the Statesman whom his influence 
had placed in that high office which he 
filled with so much dignity and useful- 
ness 1 The whole of Mr. Clay's pre- 
vious political life furnishes the answer. 
He accepted the appointment that he 
might have the power, more success- 
fully, and in a more eminent degree, 
of serving his country, by forming part 
of, and in aiding to sustain an adminis- 
tration, for the honour and success of 
which he felt himself, in a measure, 
justly responsible to the people. And 
here, again, he exhibited an example 
of moral courage, and of self-devotion, 
for which we may search in vain for a 



OP HENRY CLAY. 71 

parallel, unless, indeed, we find it in 
other periods of his own noble history. 
He was well aware of the violence of 
the storm of calumny, and of the exas- 
|3erated and malignant jealousy and 
hatred with which he would be assail- 
ed by those who had endeavoured to 
obstruct his manly course in the path 
of duty, honour and patriotism; but, 
with a nobleness of purpose and cou- 
rao-e which will endear his name to all 
future generations, he made his elec- 
tion, and decided for his country I If 
he had selfishly calculated the personal 
consequences of his patriotic course in 
regard to this matter, he would have 
abandoned the man whom his influ- 
ence had elevated to the Presidency, 
to the relentless and unprincipled oppo- 
sition of those who, like Mr. Richard 
M. Johnson, could declare, in advance, 
that the administration of Mr. Adams 
slfould be '■'•put down, if 'as pure as the 
angels at the right hand of God^ In 
a recent speech delivered to his con- 
stituents by Mr. Clay, he thus alludes 



72 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

with entire absence of unkindly feel- 
ing, to the consequences, personal to 
himself, which followed upon his deter- 
mination to form a part of the adminis- 
tration of this distinguished Statesman : 
" My error in accepting the office arose 
mt of my underrating the power of de- 
traction and t lie force of ignorance, and 
abiding, with too sure a confidence, in 
the conscious integrity and uprightness 
of my own motives. Of that igno- 
rance, I had a remarkable and laugha- 
ble example on an occasion which I 
will relate. I was travelling in 182S 
through Spottsylvania, in Virginia, on 
my return to Washington, in company 
with some young friends. We halted 
at night at a tavern, kept by an aged 
gentleman, who, I quickly perceived, 
from the disorder and confusion which 
reigned, had not the happiness to have 
a wife. After a hurried and bad sup- 
per, the old gentleman sat down %y 
me, and without hearing my name, but 
understanding that I was from Ken- 
tucky, remarked that he had four sons 



OF HE^fRY CLAY. 73 

in that state, and that he was very 
sorry they were divided in politics, two 
being for Adams, and two for Jackson. 
Why ] I asked him. ' Because,' he 
said, ' that feJlow Clay, and Adams, 
had cheated Jackson out of the Presi- 
dency.' Have you ever seen any evi- 
dence, my old friend, said I, of that] 
' No," he replied, ' none,' and he wanted 
to see none. But, I observed, looking 
him directly and steadily in the face, 
suppose Mr. Clay were to come here 
and assure you, upon his honour, that 
it was all a vile calumny, and not* a 
word of truth in it, would you believe 
him] No, replied the old gentleman, 
promptly and emphatically. I said to 
him, in conclusion, will you be good 
enough to show me to bed, and bade 
him good night. The next morning, 
having in the interval learned m}^ 
name, he came to me full of apologies; 
but I at once put him at ease, by assur- 
ing him that I did not feel in the slight- 
est degree hurt or offended with him." 
7 



74 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

/ 

CHAPTER VIII. ^ 

The Calumny — Its origin — Beverley's Letter of Confes- 
sion — Mr. Adams — His denial of the charge against 
himself and Mr. Clay — His opinion of Mr. Clay — 
Anecdote. 

In addition to the evidence we have 
adduced of the absurdity and utter 
falsity of these charges, the testimony 
' is upon record of General Lafayette, 
at this period the nation's honoured 
guest, of the honourable John J. Crit- 
tenden, the present worthy successor 
of Mr. Clay in the Senate, and of the 
entire delegation of that day, in Con- 
gress from Kentucky, which sustains 
in the most unequivocal manner the 
statement of Mr. Clay, that his course 
had been determined upon, and widely 
proclaimed, long before his departure 
from Kentucky to. enter anew upon his 
congressional duties. 

•' Time as he courses onward still unrolls 
The volume of coticealment," 

% and the miserable slanderer, if mot 
exposed by the treachery of his profli- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 75 

gate accomplices, is often prompted by 
the upbraidings of a restless conscience 
to make spontaneous atonement for 
injuries inflicted in wanton malice, 
or in earnest of expected, or of pro- 
mised reward. 

The recent, voluntary disclaimer of 
Carter Beverley, of Virginia, who, 
whether as the instrument of General 
Jackson, with whom, we regret to say, 
they originated, or in the gratification 
of a weak propensity to meddle, and 
desire to gain for himself a momentary 
importance, gave circulation to the 
slanderous aspersions, should forever 
disabuse the minds of all who lent a 
credulous ear to the wretched calumny 
aimed directly at Mr. Clay, and by im- 
plication against Mr. Adams, also. 

In Mr. Beverley's letter of confession 
to Mr. Clay, (which will be found entire 
in the United States Gazette of March 
2, 1842,) the following passages occur : 
" Although the time is quite far gone 
since I became very innocently instru- 
mental in circulating throughout the 



76 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

«;ountry, a very grave attack upon your 
character and virtue as a gentleman, 
and certainly a very heavy one as a 
public man, I feel exceedingly desirous 
to relieve you, as far as 1 can, from the 
slander, and my own feelings from the 
severe compunction that is within me, 
of having been, though neither directly 
nor indirectly, your personal accuser, 
yet that I was drawn indiscreetly into 
the representation of an attack upon 
you. * * * My entire object now is, a 
desire I have to be exonerated from 
the belief of any special desire to injure 
you. * * * This letter is intended to 
show you that the long lapse of time, 
and the many growing circumstances 
of the country and government have, 
long ago, convinced me that the very 
greatest iiijustice ivas done you in the 
charge made. * =^ * I again say, that 1 
am most thoroughly convinced that 
you were most untruthfully, and, there- 
fore, unjustly treated, for I have never 
seen any evidence to substantiate at 
all the charge. =^ * * He who was 



OF HENRY CLAY. 77 

GENERALLY BELIEVED TO BE THE CIRCULA- 
TOR OF THE EGREGIOUS SLANDER AGAINST 
YOU, HEREBY REVOKES HIS BELIEF OF IT, 
AND UNEQUIVOCALLY DECLARES THAT IT IS 
UNPROVED, AND STANDS UTTERLY UNSUP- 
PORTED TO THIS TIME, A PERIOD OF FIFTEEN 
OR SIXTEEN YEARS." 

Upon the retirement of Mr. Adams 
from the Presidency, a Committee of 
gentlemen of New Jersey, transmitted 
to him a complimentary address, which 
contained an expression of their re- 
spect, attachment, and undiminished 
confidence ; and also of their approval 
of the measures of his truly republican 
administration. In his reply to this 
address, and in allusion to Mr. Clay, 
the venerable Ex-President wrote as 
follows: "Upon him, (Mr. Clay,) the 
foulest slanders have been showered. 
Long- known and appreciated, as suc- 
cessively a member of both Houses of 
your National Legislature, as the un- 
rivalled Speaker, and, at the same time, 
most efficient leader of debates in one 
of them; as an able and successful 
7* 



78 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

negociator for your interests in war 
and peace, with foreign powers, and as 
a powerful candidate for the highest 
of your trusts — the department of state 
itself was a station, which, by its bestow- 
al, could confer neither- profit nor ho- 
nour upon him, but upon which he has 
shed unfading honour, by the manner 
in which he has discharged its duties. 
Prejudice and passion have charged 
him with obtaining that office by bar- 
gain and corruption. Before you, my 
fellow -citizens, in the presence of my 
Country and Heaven, I pronounce that 
charge totally unfounded. This tribute 
of justice is due frofti me to him, and I 
seize with pleasure the opportunity af- 
forded me, by your letter, of discharg- 
ing the obligation. As to my motives 
of tendering to him the department of 
state when I did, let that man who 
questions them come forward. Let 
him look around among the statesmen 
and legislators of that day. Let him 
then select and name the man whom, 
by his pre-eminent talents, by his splen- 



OF HEIVHY CLAY. 79 

did services, by his ardent patriotism, 
by his all-embracing public spirit, by 
his fervid eloquence in behalf of the 
rights and liberties of mankind, by his 
long experience in the affairs of the 
Union, foreign and domestic, a Presi- 
dent of the United States, intent only 
upon the honour and welfire of his 
country, ought to have preferred to 
Henry Clay. Let him name the man, 
and then judge you, my fellow-citizens,' 
of my motives." 

We feel it to be unnecessary to pur- 
sue this matter further. The testimony 
of Mr. Adams, so full, so eloquent and 
so conclusive, must, apart from all other 
evidence, carry conviction to every 
intelligent, candid, and honourable 
mind. Among the warmest and most 
devoted, at this day, of the friends of 
Mr. Clay, we have the pride and the 
happiness to rank this illustrious and 
extraordinary man ; and the following 
anecdote will prove that in private as 
well as in public he omits no opportu- 
nity of expressing his admiration and 



80 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

attachment for his friend : "I have fre- 
quently," writes a Washington cor- 
respondent of a New Jersey paper, 
"observed ladies' albums circulating 
through the House and Senate Cham- 
ber, with the view of collecting the au- 
tographs of the members. One belong- 
ing to a young lady of attracted 

considerable attention. Upon exami- 
tion, I found that it contained a page 
of well-written poetry, dated 23d July, 
1842, in the tremulous hand-writing of 
John Q.. Adams. This piece was de- 
scriptive of the wild chaos at present 
spread over our political affairs, and 
anticipated commg events which would 
bring order out of disorder. The clos- 
ing verse was as follows: 

" Say, fur whose brow, tliis laurel crown ? 

For wiioin this web of life is spinning ? 
Turn this, thy Album, upside down, 

And take the end for the beginning!" 

The meaning of this was somewhat 
mystical, but by turning to the back of 
the book, and inverting it, on its last 
page a piece was found with the signa- 
ture of " H. Clay." 



OF HENRY CLAY. 81 



CHAPTER IX. 

Mr. Clay resigns the office of Secretary of State— Returns 
to Kentucky — Enthusiastic Reception— Eloquent Speech 
— Gen. Smyth — Anecdotes— Elected Senator in Consres? 
—The Tariff- Free Trade-Speech. 

At the close of Mr. Adams' presi- 
dential term, Mr. Clay resigned the 
office of Secretary of State, and re- 
turned to {lis residence in Kentucky, 
where he was welcomed by the entire 
mass of his old constituents, with the 
most enthusiastic cordiality. 

Upwards of three thousand persons 
had seats at the dinner, which was 
given in honour of his return, and after 
a toast, expressive of their ardent at-' 
tachment, of their undiminished confi- 
dence in his patriotism, of their pride 
in his character and talents, and of gra- 
titude for his eminent public services, 
Mr. Clay arose and addressed the as- 
sembled multitude for nearly two hours 
in a strain of the richest and most 
touching eloquence, and with a power 
which even he had never yet surpassed. 

In allusion to the trials of his position 

p 



62 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

as Secretary of State, and to the flood- 
gates of detraction which his enemies 
had opened upon him, and after ex- 
pressnig his gratitude for the unwaver- 
ing support he had always received 
from his constituents, he thus expressed 
himself: " When I felt as if I should 
sink beneath the storm of abuse and 
detraction, which was so violently rag- 
ing around me, I have found myself 
upheld and sustained by your encour- 
aging voices, and your approving 
smiles, I have, doubtless, committed 
many faults and indiscretions, ov^ 
which you have thrown the broad man- 
' tie of your charity. But I can say, and, 
in the presence of my God, and of this 
assembled multitude, I will say that 
I have honestly and faithfully served 
my country ; that I have never wronged 
it ; and that, however unprepared I la- 
ment that J am to appear in the Divine 
Presence on other accounts, I invoke 
the stern justice of his judgments on 
my public conduct without the smallest 
apprehension of his displeasure." 



OF HENRY CLAY. 83 

It is, we believe, generally known, 
that when the House "resolves itself 
into Committee of the whole," the 
Speaker temporarily vacates the chair, 
calling thereto any other member of the 
House, who presides during the sitting 
of the Committee. On all such occa- 
sions, when any important questions 
were discussed, Mr. Clay took an ac- 
tive part, and hence it was that he so 
frequently addressed the House during 
the long period that he occupied the 
Speaker's chair. His spirits were al- 
ways buoyant, and his disposition play- 
ful, and the tediousness of debate was 
often enlivened by his gay sallies of 
wit, and the graceful friendliness of his 
attractive manners. The late General 
Smyth, better known, perhaps, by the 
soubriquet of " Pj-oclamation Smyth," 
on account of some famous proclama- 
tions published by him during the war, 
is represented to have been a gentle- 
man of considerable learning, but by 
no means an attractive or agreeable 
Sneaker. He was, in truth, sometimes 



84 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

insufferably dull and tedious. On one 
occasion, while in busy search for an 
authority, he remarked to Mr. Clay, 
who sat near him, " You, sir, speak for 
the present generation ; but I speak for 
posterity/' " Yes," replied Mr. Clay, 
" and you seem resolved to speak until 
the arrival of your audience!" 

General Lincoln, of Massachusetts, 
when a member of the House, was dis- 
cussing the Revolutionary Pension Bill, 
and in reply to a remark that it would, 
for a long time, be a serious burthen 
upon the treasury, as many of the pen- 
sioners would be very long-lived, ex- 
claimed with patriotic fervour, " Sol- 
diers of the Revolution live forever!" 
Mr. Clay followed him in the debate, 
and expressed the hope that his " wor- 
thy friend would not insist upon the 
very great duration of these pensions, 
which he had suggested." " Will he 
not," asked Mr. Clay, " consent, by way 
of a compromise, to a term of 999 years 
instead of eternity ]" 

Mr. Clay has always been an ardent 



OF HENRY CLAY. 86 

and eloquent friend of these poor revo- 
lutionary pensioners. 

In the autumn of 1831, Mr. Clay was 
again elected a Senator in Congress by 
the legislature of his adopted State, and 
at the time of his re-appearance at 
Washington, he was nominated by the 
National Convention, which had as- 
sembled at Baltimore, a Candidate for 
the Presidency, in opposition to Presi- 
dent Jackson. 

The old question of a tariff was 
again agitated during this session of 
Congress, and, as usual, had in Mr. 
Clay, an able and consistent advocate. 
We cannot resist the temptation to 
make, from one of his speeches pro- 
nounced upon this occasion, the follow- 
ing extract from his reply to the ene- 
mies of the American System, and the 
advocates of the fallacious and imprac- 
ticable doctrine of " Free Traded It 
is graphical, and disposes of this chi- 
mera in a very, summary manner : 

" Free trade ! free trade ! the call for 
free trade is as unavailing as the cry 
8 • 



86 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

of a spoiled child in his nurse's arms, 
for the moon or stars that glitter in the 
firmament of Heaven. It never existed. 
It never v/ill exist. Trade implies at 
least two parties. To be free, it should 
be fair, equal and reciprocal. But if we 
throw our ports wide open to the ad- 
mission of foreign productions free of 
all duty, what ports, of any other fo- 
reign nation shall we find open to the 
free admission of our surplus produce] 
We may break down all barriers to 
free trade on our part, but they will not 
be complete until foreign powers shall 
have removed theirs. There would be 
freedom on one side, and restrictions, 
prohibitions, and exclusions on the 
other. The bolts and the bars and the 
chains of all other nations will remain 
undisturbed. Gentlemen deceive them- 
selves. It is not free trade they are re- 
commending to our acceptance. It is, 
in effect, the British Colonial System 
that tve are invited to adopt ; and if this 
policy prevail, it will lead substantially 



t 



OF HENRY CLAY. 87 

to the re-colonization of the States, un- 
der the Commercial Dominion of Great 
Britain,'''' 



CHAPTER X. 

Exciiement at the South — Nullification— Re-election of 
Genetal Jackson — His ProclamatioH — His Firmness- 
Proclamation of Governor Hayne — The Tariff— iMr. 
Clay's "Compromise Bill " — Tho {t«u,o pr^servctl by 
Wr. Clay— Mr. Tyler— His fervent Eulopy of Mr, Clay- 
Principles of llie Compromise Bill — Disirit.ution of the 
Sales of the Public Landb— Justice of the rneasuie, and 
its general importance. 

We have now arrived at a period in 
the history of the country, through 
which, it is true, we passed in safety, 
but with a renewal of all the elements 
of the furious discord and party ani- 
mosity which characterized her strug- 
gle through the memorable scenes of 
the Missouri excitement, d^d which 
again disturbed the foundations of our 
cherished political system. With the 
lapse of time, the wild spirit of Nullifi- 
cation, fostered by discontent and nur- 
tured hy the ravings of disappointed 
ambit.'o';. and vrhich had its inaus- 



4 

88 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

picious origin in the new tariff law, 
became bolder and more insolent in its 
threatening s and denunciations. In 
South Carolina, the revenue laws 
which had been passed by Congress 
were declared, in an ordinance issued 
by a Convention in the name of the 
people, null and void. The excitement 
was tremendous and alarming, and in 
the midst of it General Jackson was 
re-elected to the Presidency, by a de- 
creased majority, over Mr. Clay. In 
December, 1832, the President issued 
his celebrated Proclamation, in which 
he warned the Nullification party of 
the consequences which would follow 
a perseverance in the course they had 
adopted. " I consider," said he, " the 
power to annul a law of the United 
States, assumed by one State, incom- 
patible with the existence of the Union, 
'Contradicted expressly by the Constitu- 
tion, unauthorised by its spirit, incon- 
sistent with every principle on which 
it was founded, and destructive of the 
great object for which it was formed." 



OF HENRY CLAY. 89^ 

In conclusion, he announced to the ' 
people his fixed determination to exe- 
cute the laws of the land, and that a 
forcible opposition should be repelled, 
for " disunion by armed force is trea- 
son." 

Governor Hayne, of South Carolina, 
issued a counter Proclamation, in which 
the offensive doctrine was strongly up- 
held. He exhorted the people to disre- 
gard the " vain menaces " of the Presi- 
dent, "to protect the liberties of the 
State, to remain steadfast in their alle- 
giance to it, and to hold themselves in 
readiness to take the field at a mo- 
ment's >varning," in resistance of the 
President's designs upon their inde- 
pendence ! Upon the re-assembling of 
Congress,' the tariff again occupied, 
almost exclusively, its attention. The 
Judiciary Committee of the Senate re- 
ported a bill to enforce the collection 
of the revenue. The aspect of national 
affairs was nov/ gloomy in the extreme. 
Those at the helm, proved utterly inca- 
pable of weathering or of allaying the 

8* 



90 SKErCII OF THE LIFE 

storm which had arisen, and which 
threatened to ox'^rwhelm the noble 
barque which Iiad before so gallantly 
breasted the billows that dashed in 
angry tumult against its sides. Dis- 
union, with the destruction of the long 
cherished hopes of the friends of free- 
dom and of mankind, was again threat- 
ened, and its direful accomplishment 
now seemed inevitable. 

It was at this juncture that Mr. Clay, 
sacrificing upon the altar of his coun- 
try's peace and tranquillity, his long- 
cherished, opinions, stepped forward, 
and with his " Compromise Bill" — the 
intention of which was, by mutual con- 
cession, to reconcile the apparently 
conflicting interests of the North and 
the South — lulled the troubled waters 
of party strife, and, a second ti-me, pre- 
served THE INTEGRITY OF OUR GLORIOUS 
CONFEDERATION I 

To the wisdom, courage, and pa- 
triotism evinced by Mr. Clay, upon 
this trying occasion, Mr. John Tyler, 
now acting as President of the United 



OP HENRY CLAY. 91 

States, has borne the strongest testi- 
mony. In a speech, delivered by him 
in the Virginia House of Delegates in 
1839, in favour of Mr. Clay's great 
measure of the Distribution of the 
Sales of the Public Lands, he held this 
manly and eloquent language : " In my ♦ 
deliberate opinion there was but one 
man who could have arrested the then 
course of things (the tendency of Nul- 
lification to dissolve the Union) and 
that man was Henry Clay. It rarely 
happens, Mr. Speaker, to the most 
gifted, talented and patriotic, to record 
their names upon the page of history, 
in characters indelible and enduring. 
But, Sir, if to have rescued the country 
from civil war — if to have prese?'ved 
tJie Constitution and Union from hazard 
and total wreck, constitute any ground 
for an immortal and undying name 
among men, then, I do believe, that he 
has won for himself that high renown. 
I speak what I do know, for I was an 
actor in the scenes of that perilous 
period. When he rose in that Senate 



92 SKETCH OP Tiit LIFE 

Chamber, and held in his hand the 
olive brancii of peace. I, who had not 
known' what envy was before, envied 
him. I wa^ proud of him as my fel- 
low-countryman, and still prouder that 
the Slashes <if Hanover, within the 
limits of my own district, gave him 
birth." 

The Compromise Bill was introduced 
by Mr. Clay as a substitute for one 
which had the sanction of President 
Jackson, and which contemplated the 
immediate reduction of duties to about 
fifteen per cent, on the foreign valua- 
tion ; it proposed a gradual decrease 
of imposts through a period of nine 
years, when they were to remain fixed 
at twenty per cent, on the home valua- 
tion. Its objects were to preserve, as 
far as possible, the American System, 
and avert an impending Civil War; 
and while both of these were accom- 
plished, its beneficent operation has 
been to save American Manufacture 
and Industry from the ruin which 
would have been the inevitable conse- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 93 

quence of the project which it supplant- 
ed, and to unite the half alienated divi- 
sions of the country in the bonds of 
harmony and peace. 

The course pursued by Mr. Clay in 
reference to the distribution of the pro- 
ceeds of the sales of the public lands 
among the States, has added another 
chaplet to the wreath that adorns his 
brow ; while the opposition of General 
Jackson to this measure — an opposition 
prompted by an unworthy spirit of 
jealousy and dislike towards its illus- 
trious originator, has injured his own 
fame, and been a source of regret to 
many of his friends. 

Originally conveyed to the General 
Government by the States in whose 
jurisdiction they lay, they were held 
in trust and in express limitation for 
the use and benefit of those who were 
then, or should hereafter become, mem- 
bers of the Confederation ; and it was 
provided that distribution of the pro- 
ceeds of the sales among them should 
be made, in the language of the Deeds 



94 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

of Cession, " according to their usual 
respective proportions in tlie general 
charge and expenditure." 

One great " use and benefit" to which, 
with common consent, they were ap- 
plied, was the extinguishment of the 
debts — several and confederate — of the 
Revolution, v/hich were assumed and 
funded by Congress under the new 
Constitution. This object accomplished, 
the distribution of the proceeds of the 
sales of the lands among the States is 
a matter not of expediency merely, but 
of absolute right; required in faithful 
execution of a solemn contract; and 
which, at the present time, would be 
especially salutary, — lightening the tax- 
ation necessary for the fulfilment of the 
obligations which some of them have 
contracted in the prosecution of their 
plans of internal improvement, and 
constituting, for those not thus involved, 
a fund for the great purposes of edu- 
cation, and the development of their 
physical resources. But, apart from 
the manifest justice of the measure, and 



OF IIEXRY CLAY. 95 

its influence in lessening the burdens 
and promoting the welfare of the indi- 
vidual members of the Union, it cannot 
fail to be directly beneficial to the whole 
nation, by removing from the political 
arena a topic of contention and means 
of corruption, and by withholding from 
the revenue, an element, which, by rea- 
son of its varying amount, must neces- 
sarily be productive of fluctuation and 
instability ; leading to the alternate ex- 
pansion and contraction of duties, and 
causing every department of industry 
to languish through the v/ant of a fixed 
and permanent policy. 

Thwarted in his hopes respecting this 
measure, once by the assumption of the 
" responsibility" of its defeat by Presi- 
dent Jackson, and more recently by 
Mr. Tyler, who, with easy facility, has, 
within a few months, both advocated 
and opposed it, it is still commended by 
Mr. Clay, together with the entire Whig 
party, to the common sense and true 
interests of the people ; its adoption is 
demanded by the will of the nation, 



)6 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

declared through their Representatives 
in Congress, where it has repeatedly 
passed by large majorities; and the 
efforts for its attainment will not be re- 
laxed until crowned with complete suc- 
cess. 

CHAPTER XI. 

Mr. Van Burnn'a Rejection by the Sen;ite — Removal of 
the Df^posiies — U. S. FJ^ink— Mr. Clay — Prediction- 
Gen. James Hamilton's Letter to Mr. Calhoun. 

Mr. Clay was constantly and labo- 
riously occupied during the remainder 
of his Senatorial term. The rejection 
of Mr. Van Buren's nomination, as Mi- 
nister to England, for violating the na- 
tional dignity by presenting his country 
in a divided attitude, before the British 
government, and supplicating as a boon 
to party what should have been asked 
as the right, and in the name, of the 
nation; the Resolutions of Censure of 
General Jackson for his unconstitu- 
tional and arbitrary measures in con- 
nexion with the removal of the public 
deposltes — the re-charter of the Bank 



OF HENHY CLAY. 97 

of the United States, which had been 
unequivocally and emphatically de- 
manded by the people, and of which 
measure, therefore, Mr. Clay was the 
most prominent advocate— the exciting 
debate upon the President's extraordi- 
nary and unprecedented Protest; — in 
the discussion of ail these, and many 
otlier questions of minor importance, 
did this Indefatigable and able States- 
man participate with his accustomed 
eloquence and ability, establishing new 
claims to the respect and admiration 
of his countrymen, and laying stili 
more broadly the firm foundations of 
an enduring and overshadowing fame. 
As an instance of remarkable pre- 
science, displayed by him in 1835, wc 
give a short extract from a speech de- 
livered at this time in the Senate. How 
truly did he then predict the policy of 
tl:e administration towards the catas- 
trophe now so widely felt and deplored ! 
" There being," said he, " no longer any 
sentinel at the head of our banking es- 
tablishments, to v/arii them, by its in-. 






08 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

formation and operations, of approach- 
ing danger, the local institutions, alrea- 
dy multiplied to an alarming extent, 
and almost daily multiplying in seasons 
of prosperity, will make free and unre- 
strained emissions. All the channels 
of circulation will be gorged. Property 
will rise extravagantly high, and, con- 
stantly looking up, the temptation to 
purchase will be irresistible. Inordi- 
nate speculation will ensue, debts will 
be freely contracted, and when the sea- 
son of adversity comes, as come it 
must, the banks, acting without con- 
cert and without guide, obeying the 
law of self-preservation, will all at the 
same time, call in their issues : the vast 
number will exaggerate the alarm, and 
general distress, wide-spread ruin, and 
an explosion of the general banking 
system, or the establishment of a new 
Bank of the United States, will be the 
ultimate effects." 

What was thus accurately predicted 
by Mr. Clay, has since become matter 
of history, and the following extract 



* OF HENRY CLAY. 99 

from a letter recently addressed by Ge- 
neral Hamilton, formerly of South Carp- 
ina, to his friend the Hon. John C. Cal- 
houn, pourtraying the present disas- 
trous condition of things, is the more 
valuable as being the admission of one 
who, in advocating the election of Ge- 
neral Jackson, was instrumental in 
bringing upon the country the evils 
which he deplores. 

"This circulation," he observes, (al- 
luding to that of the late Bank of the 
United States,) — " in the recesses of that 
financial wisdom which is past finding 
out, was destroyed by our friend Gene- 
ral Jackson, when he slew the Bank of 
the United States with the arm of Sam- 
son, and almost 'with the self-same 
weapon, too,' wiien we recollect all the 
twattle of the old gentleman on this 
subject. He, as Burke said, was cer- 
tainly a ' consummate architect of 
Ruin,' in his time and tide, and had 
the happy faculty of impersonating a 
corporation ' in his mind's eye,' for the 
purpose of hating it as cordially as he 



100 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

once did you and Mr. Poindexter. 
When, therefore, Mr. Biddle entered 
into a contest with this hero of two 
wars, he forgot the wisdom of the Spa- 
nish proverb, ' That he who sets down 
to dine with the devil should eat with a 
long spoon.' What has been the result 
of this feast, in broken meat and empty 
plates you well know. It has left our 
country palsied indeed — hungry in 
flesh and poor in spirit. I doubt, since 
the creation of the world, whether such 
an example can be exhibited as we 
have presented for the last sixteen 
years of folly and misgovernment. No 
Southern planter v/ould permit his 
plantation for one hour to be governed 
with such a lack of all sense and pro- 
vidence. The Caffres and Hottentots, 
in reference to their condition, I doubt 
not, have been governed with a policy 
far more vigilant and enlightened. A 
countr)'- of immense resources, in a pe- 
riod of profound peace, on the verge 
of bankruptcy ! Any man who will 
read Hume's essavs on ' Public Credit' 



OF HENRY CLAY. 101 

and on ' Money,' can be at no loss to 
trace our present condition to its true 
cause. We have been suffering ever 
since General Jackson destroyed the 
Bank of the United States, (with the 
exception of a short period of distem- 
pered inflation, created by his own 
measures) under a steadily diminishing 
circulation, which the eminent philoso- 
pher to v/hom I have referred, has de- 
clared to be one of the worst calamities 
that can befal a civilized country— far 
more disastrous 'than the continued 
bliG:ht of unfavourable harvests and 
seasons.' This result has been first in 
the constant action of the Federal Go- 
vernment, or their supposed meditated 
action on the Banks of the States, which 
created an universal panic, that has com- 
pelled the Banks to vrithdraw their cir- 
culation, and next the General Govern- 
ment permitting to rem.ain in criminal 
abeyance their sovereign function to 
supply a currency equal to that of the 
wants of the country, " to regulate its 
¥alue." 
9* 



102 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

The consequence is, that the States 
have nothing in the shape of credit or 
money at home to pay with abroad. 
Every species of property has fallen 
from fifty to one hundred per cent, and 
the standard of value so seriously dis- 
turbed that a man in 1839 might have 
had property to three times the value 
of his debts, yet he is now ipso facto 
ruined by the silent transit of our 
country from a redundant circulation 
to what some are pleased most felici- 
tously to call a hard money currency 
— when the fact is that we can procure 
that which is neither hard nor soft." 



OF HENRY CLAY. 103 



CHAPTER XII. 

Mr. Clay's re-election to the Senate — Senator Benton's 
Infamous Expunging Resolution — Eloquently opposed 
by Mr. Clay — Mr. Van Buren elected President — Nomi- 
nation of General Harrison — Magnanimous conduct of 
Mr. Clay — His Letter to the Kentucky Delegation in the 
Harrisburgh Convention. 

In 1836, Mr. Clay was re-elected to 
the Senate of the United States, and 
besides the renewed discussion of the 
Land Bill, involving extraordinary pro- 
jects of Mr. Calhoun, and of Mr. 
Walker of Mississippi, for the disposi- 
tion of the public domain, the infamous 
Expunging Resolution of Senator Ben- 
ton, introduced by that arch dema- 
gogue more in hatred of Mr. Clay than 
regard for GJeneral Jackson, and the 
iinal passage of which has left an indeli- 
ble stain upon the national scutcheon, 
by prostrating the independence of the 
Senate at the footstool of Executive 
power, was long debated and manfully 
opposed by Mr. Clay and his Whig 
associates of that body. 

We hope that the day is far distant 



104 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

when the people of this country, who 
should endure 

•' Chains no where patiently ; and cl)ains at h<':ne 
Where they are free by birth-right not at all,"' — 

will forget the fratricidal crime of those 
who, marshalled by such a leader, wan- 
tonly violated their country's constitu- 
tion in sustaining a measure so despi- 
cably puerile and deliberately wicked. 

In 1836, Mr. Clay declined being a 
candidate at the Presidential election 
of that period, and Mr. Van Buren was 
elected through the influence of the 
vchief under whom, with characteristic 
sycophancy, he once accounted it suiR- 
cient glory to have served, over Gene- 
ral Harrison and Mr. White, the former 
of whom had fought the battles of his 
country, and grown grey in her ser- 
vice! 

Mr. Clay continued at his post in the 
Senate in the faithful performance of all 
the arduous duties of the station, and 
upon every question involving the in- 
terests of the people and the honour 
of the government he was ever the 



OF HENRY CLAY. 105 

most fearless and able champion, dis- 
tinguished among Senators illustrious 
for talent, learning, and length of ser- 
vice, and justly regarded as the " No- 
blest Roman of them all." The pe- 
riod for a new election of President of 
the United States to succeed Mr. Van 
Buren was now rapidly approaching, 
and the hopes of a large majority of the 
people were centered, once more, upon 
Mr. Clay. 

Mr. Van Buren was nominated by 
the purely democratic, 07ie term, party, 
for Re-election ! The Harrisburgh 
Convention in due time assembled, and 
it was the general expectation, as well 
as the wish of the Whigs, that their 
veteran favourite should receive an 
unanimous and cordial nomination. 
For reasons now too generally known 
to require a particular reference to 
them here, his acknowledged claims to 
this great distinction were reluctantly 
postponed, and the nomination of Gene- 
ral Harrison received his prom-pt and 
generous support. 



106 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

Documents on record, relative to this 
Convention, exhibit in strong colours 
the generous and disinterested conduct 
of Mr. Clay. Writing in 1839 to the 
Kentucky Delegation in that body, and 
alluding to the request made by the 
State Convention of Pennsylvania, that 
he would withdraw his name in favour 
of General Harrison, as being, in the 
opinion of that body, the first choice 
of the opposition in that State ; and 
also to the numerous appeals from pri- 
vate citizens, public meetings, and con- 
ventions in various parts of the United 
States, Pennsylvania and elsewhere, 
that he would consent to be a candi- 
date, he observes, with characteristic 
patriotism and magnanimity : 

"* It is perfectly manifest that I cannot 
comply with all these conflicting opi- 
nions and wishes, nor, I apprehend, 
with any one of them, without diso- 
bliging the others. 

Under these embarrassing circum- 
stances, I have thought it most advisa- 
ble to leave to the Convention at Har- 



OF HENRY CLA.Y. 107 

risburgh the free selection of candidates, 
as being the assembly to which, by- 
common consent, that important duty 
has been referred. Representing, as it 
probably will, all parts of the United 
States, bringing together the feelings 
and views of all, comparing and weigh- 
ing the local information which it will 
derive from every portion, it will be 
most competent to make a nomination 
acceptable to the great majority of its 
constituents. That it will be faithful to 
the high trust confided to its judgment 
and patriotism, cannot be doubted; and 
having a full view of the whole ground, 
it will be more likely to make a selec- 
tion agreeable to the great body of the 
opposition than any separate conven- 
tion could do, however enlightened and 
patriotic it may be. If the Pennsylva- 
nia Convention, to which I have just 
alluded, be right in supposing that the 
distinguished citizen whom it prefers 
would be more likely to be successful 
than any other, he ought to be nomi- 
nated, and undoubtedly for that reason 



108 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

will be nominated, by the Harrisbnrgh 
Convention, should it entertain the 
same opinion. 

" With a just and proper sense of the 
high honour of being voluntarily called 
to the office of President of the United 
States by a great, free, and enlightened 
People, and profoundly grateful to those 
of my fellow-citizens who are desirous 
to see me placed in that exalted and 
responsible station, I must, nevertheless, 
say, in entire truth and sincerity, that 
if the deliberations of the Convention 
shall lead them to the choice of another 
as the candidate of the opposition, far 
from feeling any discontent, the nomi- 
nation will have my best wishes, and 
receive my cordial support. 

'•And, gentlemen, I hope that you, my 
friends and neighbours, will excuse the 
liberty I take in expressing to you ni}^ 
anxious desire that, discarding all at- 
tachment or partiality., to me, and 
guided solely by the motive of rescu- 
ing our country from the dangers that 
now encompass it, you will heartily 



OF HENRY CLAY. 109 

unite in the selection of that citizen, 
although it should not be me, who may 
appear to be most likely, by his elec- 
tion, to bring about a salutary change " 
in the administration of the General 
Government — a change, without which 
we shall be mocked by the forms, and 
stript of the substantial benefits of free 
institutions." 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Election of General Harrison — His Death — Dcroclion of 
John Tyler — Extra Session — Important Services of Mr. 
Clay — Treacherous Conduct of the Acting President — 
Noble Speech of Mr. Clay. 

The Whigs having elected their can- 
didate by an overwhelming majority, 
were now prepared to carry out the 
measures, for which they had so long 
and so strenuously contended, when, 
by a dispensation of Providence as 
mournful as it was unexpected, the 
power of action was snatched from 
their grasp, and the advantages of vic- 
tory being lost, through the treachery 
and defection of the Vice-President, 






110 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

they are compelled to buckle on their 
armour and combat once more for the 
ground already so bravely won. 

The country is famihar with the ex- 
traordinary exertions of Mr. Clay in 
the Senate, down to the period of his 
final retirement to the shades and com- 
parative repose of private life. His ser- 
vices, especially during the Extra Ses- 
sion of Congress, called by Gen. Harri- 
son, in degree and importance surpass- 
ing those rendered by most Statesmen 
during a long public career, excited the 
surprise and extorted the respect of 
men of all parties. 

The course of Mr. Tyler, since his 
assumption of the duties of the Presi- 
dency on the demise of General Harri- 
son, has been a source of mortification 
and regret to those by whose votes he 
was, so unmeritedly, raised from the 
safe and befitting obscurity of private 
life, to the second office of the nation. 
His unexpected and extraordinary op- 
position to measures essential to the 
public welfare, his violation of pledges 



OF HENRY CLAY. HI 

expressed and implied, his weak vacil- 
lating and destructive policy, (if that 
fnay be termed policy which exhibits 
no definite aim,) his proscription of for- 
mer filends; his pmiy jealousy of Mr. 
Clay, and his betrayal of every princi- 
ple involved in his elevation, have re- 
ceived, and are receiving the indignant 
rebuke of an insulted people. In refer- 
ence to the Bank Bill vetoed by Mr. 
Tyler, in disregard of all his previous 
declarations in its favour, Mr. Clay, in 
a speech of 19th August, 1841, thus 
nobly expressed himself: 

" Shall I be told that the honour, the 
firmness, the independence of the Chief 
Magistrate might have been drawn in 
question if he had remained passive, 
and so permitted the bill to become a 
law ] I answer that the office of Chief 
Magistrate is a sacred and exalted 
trust, created and conferred for the be- 
nefit of the nation, and not for the pri- 
vate advantage of the person who fills 
It. Can any man's reputation for firm- 
ness, independence, and honour be of 



112 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

more importance than the welfare of a 
great people I" 

In reply to Senator Rives, on tlfe 
same occasion, he held the following 
characteristic and striking language : 
" The Senator says that, if placed in 
like circumstances, (with Mr. Tyler) I 
would have been the last man to avoid 
putting a direct veto upon the bill had 
it. met my disapprobation ; and he does 
me the honour to attribute to me high 
quahties of stern and unbending intre- 
pidity. I hope that in all that relates 
to personal firmness — all that concerns 
a just appreciation of the insignificance 
of human life — v/hatever may be at- 
tempted to threaten or alarm a soul not 
easily swayed by opposition, or awed 
or intimidated by menace — a stout 
heart, and a steady eye that can sur- 
vey, unmoved and undaunted, any 
mere personal perils that assail this 
poor, transient, perishing franie, I may, 
Vvithout disparagement, compare with 
other men. But there is a sort of cour- 
age which, 1 frankly confess, I do not 



c 



OF HENRY CLAY. 113 

possess,— a boldness to which I dare 
not aspire, — a valour which I cannot 
covet. I cannot lay myself down in 
the way of the welfare and happiness 
of my country. That I cannot, I have 
not the courage to do. I cannot inter- 
pose the power with which I may be 
invested, a power conferred not for my 
personal benefit, nor for my aggran- 
iizement, but for my country's good-- 
to check her onward march to great- 
ness and glory. I have not courage 
enough, I am too cowardly for that. I 
would not, I dare not, in the exercise 
of such a trust, lie down, and place my 
body across the path that leatis my 
country to prosperity and happiness. 
This is a sort of courage widely differ- 
ent from that which a man may display 
in his private conduct, and personal re- 
lations. Personal or private courage is 
totally distinct from that high and noble 
courage which prompts the patriot to 
offer himself a voluntary sacrifice to 
his country's good. * * * Apprehen- 
sions of the imputation of the want of 
10* 



H 



114 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

firmness sometimes impel us to perform 
rash and inconsiderate acts. It is the 
greatest courage to be able to bear the 
imputation of the want of courage. 
But pride, vanity, egotism, so unamia- 
ble and offensive in private life, are 
vices which partake of the character 
of crimes in the conduct of public af- 
fairs. The unfortunate victim of these 
passions cannot see beyond the little, 
petty, contemptible -circle of his own 
personal interests. All his thoughts are 
withdrawn from his country, and con- 
centrated on his consistency, his firm- 
ness, himself The high, the exalted, 
the silblime emotions of a patriotism, 
which, soaring towards Heaven, rises 
far above all mean, low, or selfish 
things, and is absorbed by one soul- 
transporting thought of the good and 
the glory of one's country, are never 
felt in his impenetrable bosom. That 
patriotism which, catching its inspira- 
tion from the immortal God, and leav- 
ing, at an immeasurable distance below 
all lesser, grovelling, personal interests 



OF HENRY CLAY. 115 

and feelings, animates and prompts to 
deeds of self-sacrifice, of valour, of de- 
votion and of death itself— that is pub- 
lic virtue, — that is the noblest, the sub- 
limest of all public virtues." 



CHAPTER XIV. • 

Mr. Clay's Last Speech in the Senate. ' 

After a few preliminary remarks re- 
specting some Resolutions which he 
had offered, tending to propose certain 
amendments to the Constitution, which 
subject he now committed to the wis- 
dom of the Senate, with a reiteration 
of his conviction of their supreme ne- 
cessity, Mr. Clay proceeded with his 
eloquent valedictory. Its length pre- 
cludes its transference, entire, but it is 
necessary to the connexion of our sub- 
ject that a few extracts should be 
given from a speech which cannot fail 
to be particularly interesting to every 
reader. Mr. Clay spoke as follows : 

"I entered the Senate of the Unitea 



116 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

States in December, 1S06. I regarded 
the body then, and still contemplate it, 
as a body, which may compare, with- 
out disadvantage, with any legislative 
assembly, either of ancient or modern 
times, whether I look to its dignity, the 
extent and importance of its powers, 
or the ability by which its individual 
members have been distinguished, or 
its Constitution. If compared in any 
of these respects, with the Senates ei- 
ther of France or of England, that of 
the United States will sustain no dero- 
gation. With respect to the mode of 
Us Constitution, of those bodies I may 
observe that in the House of Peers in 
England, with the exception but of Ire- 
land and Scotland — and in that of 
France, with no exception whatever— 
the members hold their places under no 
delegated authority, but derive them 
fronTthe grant of the crown, transmit- 
ted by descent, or expressed in new 
patents of nobility ; while here we have 
the proud title of Representatives of 
sovereign States, of distinct and inde- 
pendent Common v/ealths." * * =^ * 



OF HENRY CLAY. 117 

" Full of attraction, as a seat in this 
Senate is, — sufncient to fill the aspira- 
tions of the most ambitious heart, — I 
have long determined to forego it, and 
to seek that repose which can be en- 
joyed only in the shades of private life, 
and amid the calm pleasures which be- 
long to that beloved word, ' home.' 

*:(; ****** 

" My acts and public conduct are a 
fair subject for the criticism and judg- 
ment of mj'- fellow-men ; but the private 
motives by which they have been 
prompted, are known only to the 
Great Searcher of tne human heart and 
to myself; and I trust I may be par- 
doijfd for repeating a declaration made 
thirteen years ago, that, whatever er- 
rors — and doubtless there have been 
many — may be discovered in a review 
of my public service to the country, I 
can, with unshaken confidence, appeal 
to that Divine Arbiter for the truth of 
the declaration, that I have been influ- 
enced by no impure purposes, no per- 
sonal motive — have sought no personal 



118 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

aggrandizement; but that in all my 
public acts I have had a sole and single 
eye, and a warm and devoted heart, 
directed and dedicated to what, in my 
judgment, I believed to be the true in- 
terest of my country." * * * :f; * 
"I emigrated from Virginia to the 
State of Kentucky, now nearly forty- 
five years ago: I went as an orphan 
who had not yet attained the age of 
majority — who had never recognised a 
father's smile nor felt a father's ca- 
resses — poor, pennyless — without the 
favour of the great ; with an imperfect 
and inadequate education, limited to 
the ordinary business and common pur- 
suits of life ; but scarce had I set my 
foot upon her generous soil, when I 
was seized and embraced with parental 
fondness, caressed as though I had been 
a favourite child, and patronised with 
liberal and unbounded munificence. 
From that period the highest honours 
of the State have been freely bestowed 
upon me ; and afterwards, in the dark- 
est hour of calumny and detraction, 



OF HENRY CLA.Y. IW 

when I seemed to be forsaken by ail 
the rest of the world, she threw her 
broad and impenetrable shield around 
me, and bearing me up aloft in her 
courageous arms, repelled the poisoned 
shafts that were aimed for my destruc- 
tion, and vindicated my good name 
against every false and unfounded as- 

" In retiring, as I am about to do, for 
ever from the Senate, suffer me to ex- 
press my heartfelt wishes that all the 
great and patriotic objects for which it 
was constituted by the wise framers of 
the Constitution may be fulfilled ; and 
that its deliberations, now and hereaf- 
ter, may result in restoring the pros- 
perity of our beloved country, in main- 
taining its rights and honour abroad, 
and in securing and upholding its inte- 
rests at home. I retire, I know it, at a 
period of infinite distress and embar- 
rassment. I wish I could take my leave 
of you under more favourable auspices ; 
but, without meaning at this time to 
say whether on any or on whom re- 



120 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

proaches for the sad condition of the 
country should fall, I appeal to the Se- 
nate and to the world, to bear testi- 
mony to my earnest and anxious exer- 
tions to avert it, and that no blame can 
justly rest at my door." * * * 
"From 1806, the period of my entry 
on this noble theatre, with the excep- 
tion of short intervals, to the present 
time, I have been engaged in the public 
councils, at home and abroad. Of the 
nature or the value of the services ren- 
dered during that long and arduous 
period of my life, it does not become 
me to speak ; history, if she deigns to 
notice me, or posterity, if the recollec- 
tions of my humble actions shall be ' 
transmitted to posterity, are the best, 
the truest, the most impartial judges." i 

" May the blessing of Heaven rest 
upon the whole Senate and each mem- 
ber of it, and may the labours of every 
one redound to the benefit of the na- 
tion, and the advancement of his own 
fame and renown. And when you 



OF HEKRY CLAY. 121 

shall retire to the bosom of your con- 
stituents, may you meet the most cheer- 
ing and gratifying of all human re- 
wards, their cordial greeting of ' Well 
>done, good and faithful servants.' " 



CHAPTER XV. 

Mr. Clay's Retirement — Impressive Scene — Colonel Pres- 
ton — Anecdote — Mr. Calhoun. 

The thirty-first of March, 1842, will 
be long remembered as a remarkable 
day in the annals of the Republic. The 
events that immediately followed upon 
the retirement of Mr. Clay from the 
Senate of the United States, were of a 
most interesting and solemn character. 
Early in the morning of that memora- 
ble day, crowds of people were to be 
seen wending their eager way, through 
every avenue, to the Capitol, it having 
been publicly announced that Mr. Clay 
would appear for the last time in his 
Senatorial capacity. When he arose 
the buzz of uneasy and anxious spec- 
tators was, instantaneously, and as if 
11 



122 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

by some powerful magical influence, 
calmed into quiet; and repose settled 
upon the previously excited and rest- 
less multitude. The scene has been 
described as truly affecting and sub- 
lime ; and the eyes of all present were 
turned, with painful expectancy, upon 
the majestic form of " The Great Pa- 
cificator," whose melodious and thrill- 
ing tones alone were heard. The usual 
business of the morning had just been 
concluded, and the Senate Chamber, — 
crowded, as has been described, to 
excess, by an admiring people, anxious 
to witness, what they had not the power 
to prevent, — the exit of the illustrious 
Statesman from the theatre of his bril- 
liant exertions, — was hushed into the 
stillness of almost perfect silence. It 
was at this, his own appointed hour, 
that Mr. Clay pronounced that remark- 
able valedictory which can never be 
forgotten by those whose enviable for- 
tune it v/as to hear it, and to be wit- 
nesses of the unaccustomed scene. The 
appearance of the great Sena<-or was 



OF HENRY v,^._Y. 123 

strikingly commanding, and the liighly 
wrought feelings deeply depicted upon 
his open and manly countenance, were 
unerring indications of a struggle with- 
in of no ordinary power and character. 
After an arduous and brilliant service 
of more than thirty-six years, during 
the whole of which time he had acted 
a leading part, the period had at lengtli 
arrived for his release from the cares 
of public life, and for the long-delayed 
enjoyment of that retirement so con- 
genial to his disposition, and which 
had become equally necessary to his 
health and to a proper regard for the 
private interests of his family. But 
this, to him, momentous change in the 
habit of his life, was not the only source 
of that keen sensibility to which refer- 
ence has been made. Attachments, 
deeply rooted and of long duration, 
and daily associations of a most ele- 
vated and pleasurable kind, conspired 
to render the feelings of that moment 
powerfully and painfully affecting, to 
such a mind, especially, as his, ardent, 



124 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

constant and peculiarly susceptible of 
the kindly feelings of our nature. But, 
ihe sacrifice was to be made, and more 
from public considerations, as will be 
shown hereafter, than from any private 
motives, strong as the latter were 
known to be. 

It was Mr. Clay's intention to resign 
his seat in the Senate, after the tri- 
umphant election of General Harrison, 
in 1S40; but learmng that an Extra- 
Session of Congress would be called, 
and feeling desirous to contribute to 
the restoration of the prosperity of the 
Country, by the support of such mea- 
sures as the united counsels of the 
Whigs might devise, he relinquished 
his intention, and participated in every 
important debate of that memorable 
Session. — It was then his purpose to 
retire from the Senate, but much im- 
portant business remained unfinished ; 
and hoping for more complete success 
at the regular session, he continued at 
his post of duty, determined, " whether 
in prosperity or adversity, to share the 



OF HENRY CLAY. 125 

fortune of his friends," resolving, how- 
ever, to resign so soon as he could do 
so with "propriety and decency." The 
time at length arrived. 

The voluntary retirement of Mr. 
Clay, from the Senate of the United 
States, was universally regretted. The 
demonstrations of attachment and re- 
spect, manifested by nearly every mem- 
ber of that august body, of which he 
had been, for so many years, the ruling 
spirit and chief attraction, was deeply 
affecting, and honourable to the distin- 
guished men by whom he*; was sur- 
rounded. His speech upon that occa- 
sion was singularly impressive, and 
was an overflow of that truly generous 
sensibility and all-embracing benevo- 
lence, which constitute so endearing- 
and beautiful a feature of his noble 
character. Upon the conclusion of Mr. 
Clay's valedictory, and after he had 
left the Senate Chamber, Colonel Pres- 
ton, the eloquent and gallant Senator 
from South Carolina, rose and spoke, 
in substance, as follows : — " What has 
11* 



126 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

just taken place is an epoch in the le- 
gislative history of the country, and 
from the feelings now evinced by ho- 
nourable Senators, it is plainly to be 
seen that there is little disposition to 
attend to public business. I therefore 
move that the Senate do now adjourn." 
The motion was, unanimously, carried. 
In illustration of the feeling to which 
Colonel Preston referred, the following 
anecdote is transcribed, in the assur- 
ance that it will give pleasure to every 
reader, whatever may be his bias. It 
shows that political differences and 
strife, although they may weaken and 
smother, for a season, the nobler and 
more generous feelings of the heart, 
cannot, at least in noble minds, entirely 
destroy them. 

Mr. Clay and Mr. Calhoun had not 
spoken to each other for several years. 
As Mr. Clay was passing from his seat 
to the door of the Senate Chamber, he 
was met by his former friend. They, 
simultaneously, extended their hands, 
and rushed into each other's arms. Not 



or HENRY CLAY. 127 

a word was uttered by either; but, 
they wept ! And what language was 
ever so eloquent as that mute embrace .' 
It proclaimed, with an energy of pathos 
which language was too feeble to con- 
vey, the reconciliation of these mighty 
men, who, however widely different 
may be their political principles, are 
both destined to fill a broad space in 
their country's history, and to draw, 
yet more largely, upon that country's 
confidence, admiration and affection. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Temporary Frustration of Whig Policy by the Treachery 
and Hostility of the Acting President. 

Mr. John Tyler, of Williamsburgh, 
Virginia, was selected for the second 
office of the Republic, by the Whigs 
of the Union, to whose party he pro- 
fessed to belong; manifesting, at the 
time of his nomination, an attachment 
so extraordinary to their veteran fa- 
vourite, Mr. Clay, as even to shed tears 
at the reluctant postponement of his 



128 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

great, and universally admitted, claims. 
In the faithful association of his name 
with that of the lamented Harrison, 
during the whole of the memorable 
contest of 1840, the Whigs failed to re- 
ceive the co-operation and support of 
their political brethren of Mr. Tyler's 
native State. This both surprised and 
grieved them at the time, but the appro- 
bation of Virginia, although earnestly 
desired, was not essential to success ; 
and, while her frowns were sincerely 
deplored, it was still a consolation to 
believe that what she withheld was, at 
least, deserved. It is true that Mr. 
Tyler had not particularly distinguished 
himself by the manifestation of enlarged 
statesmanship, or the prominent advo- 
cacy of any great measures of national 
interest or importance; but the office 
— created for a contingency which had 
never occurred in the history of the 
country — was regarded, chiefly, as ho- 
norary ; and, in a spirit of kindness and 
conciliation towards the Southern mem- 
bers of the Confederacy — a spirit 



OF HENRY CLAY. 129 

which, it is hoped, may always be che- 
rished and reciprocated between the 
aifferent sections of the country — he 
was placed before the people, together 
with General Harrison, in the earnest 
hope that his elevation would tend to 
unite yet more firmly the opposition to 
Executive misrule and usurpation. Ne- 
ver was distinction more gratuitously 
and more generously bestowed, and 
never was confidence more basely be- 
trayed. Scarcely had he turned from 
the honoured dust of him 

" Who, departing, left millions in tears," 

when, listening to the suggestions of a 
grovelling ambition, he proved recreant 
to the principles for the establishment 
of which he was elected, and, deserting 
to the antagonist party, has since en- 
deavoured, in the true spirit of treason, 
to evince the sincerity of his apostacy 
by unrelenting hostility to the persons 
and measures of his former friends. 
The Whigs, therefore, (although with- 
out reference to its source, they will, 
zealously, co-operate in whatever may 

I 



130 SKETCH OF THE LSFE 

tend to promote the general welfare,) 
are, in truth, no more accountable for 
tlie errors and practices of his miserable 
administration, than was our Revolu- 
tionary Congress for the treachery of 
Benedict Arnold ; and they have, from 
the moment he unmasked, indignantly 
disclaimed all such responsibility. The 
administration is not, and, since the de- 
mise of President Harrison, has not 
been, a Whig administration. The act- 
ing President has, in violation of solemn 
pledges, expressed and implied, and by 
the abusive exercise of a Constitutional 
provision, prevented the enactment of 
laws wholesome and necessary for the 
public good, and where he dared not 
refuse assent to their passage, has en- 
deavoured to impair their obligation 
by recording objections, which might 
be adduced in justification of their in- 
fraction.— He has removed from office 
faithful and competent men, for no 
other reason than that, in conformity 
with just views of duty and in obedi- 
ence to his mvn Proclamation — issued 



OF HENRY CLAY. 131 

* before he yet meditated defection— they 
refused to prostitute official station to 
the furtherance of his preposterous as- 
pirations ; and has appointed, in their 
stead, political mercenaries, whose only 
recommendations were hostility to the 
Whig party, and slavish subserviency 
to his will. He has calumniated the 
Representatives of the People, because 
in steadfast adherence to their princi- 
ples, they faithfully endeavoured to give 
effect to the wishes of their constitu- 
ents, and nobly scorned to be the pli- 
ant instruments of his puny hatred and 
insolent ambition. Early discovering 
that the great and patriotic party which, 
unwittingly, gave to him the power to 
perpetrate such mischief, would not 
consent to sacrifice the claims of their 
great leader to his insane dream of 
further elevation, he has visited both 
them and him with the venomous abuse 
of a purchased press ; and, in the vain 
Iiope that they who have profited by 
the treason may be persuaded to love 
the traitor, is endeavouring to court a 



132 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

nomination at the hands of those to 
whose signal overthrow he owes his 
present elevated position ! 

Conduct so unworthy will not fail to 
receive the indignant rebuke of an in- 
'Sulted and injured people. The deep 
mortification, and still deeper disgrace 
which they have thus experienced, will 
not permit indifference in the choice 
of candidates for their highest trusts, 
or excuse inaction in the approaching 
struggle for the rescue of their govern- 
ment from the degradation into which 
it has fallen, and the vindication of their 
good name among the Nations. 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Elevated Character of Mr. Clay— His generous Patriotism 
— Anecdote — Clay Club of Germaiitown — Neaglu's 
Portrait-" The Tall Boy." 

It is grateful to turn from the petty 
and selfish strife of inferior spirits, and 
from the disgusting and pervading evi- 
dences of political expedients and in- 
trigue, daily exhibited in the actions of 
public men, to the vigorous and efficient 



OP IIEXRY CLAY» 133 

efforts of commanding talent, sound 
and various learning, pure and lofty 
patriotism, especially manifested in the 
career of the illustrious man whose 
brilliant and instructive history we 
have thus imperfectly endeavoured to 
trace. It exhibits, in bold relief, the 
unwavering determination of a strong, 
cultivated, ardent and superior mind^ 
to press onward in an undeviating 
course to the grand ultimate object of 
a patriot's ambition, — his country's wel- 
fare and glory. Of such a Statesman 
the whole country has reason to be 
proud ; his fame, his name, as well as 
his services are national, and who that 
venerates the Sanctus amor patrice^ 
that can feel and appreciate the power 
of matchless eloquence and genius, ex- 
erted for the sublimest of purposes — 
the preservation of the national union, 
dignity and honour — the promotion and 
advancement of universal happiness 
and freedom, can fail to be deeply inter- 
ested in the past career and futu're des- 
tiny of such a man as Henry Clay. It 
12 



134 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

matters not what part of the country 
may claim him by particular adoption, 
or may boast the honour of his birth ; 
his fame, enduring as the race of man- 
kind upon earth, is the common pro- 
perty of the nation, and as such will 
ever be scrupulously and fondly cher- 
ished by an enlightened, and a grateful 
people. 

In the contemplation of such a char- 
acter, abundant consolation is afforded 
for past misfortunes and disgrace, and 
a feeling of grateful pride is engendered 
by the reflection that if the country we 
revere has, by an unhappy mischance, 
given birth to an Arnold and a Tylei% 
she may still boast a glorious mother- 
hood to a Washington and a Clay. 

The name of Henry Clay is seldom 
mentioned in a public assembly without 
occasioning a powerful ebullition of 
popular affection. 

We have been informed that, during 
a lecture delivered af Utica, in the State 
of New- York, by a scientific gentleman 
of that place, upon the amusing subject 



OF HENRY CLAY. 135 

of Phrenology, he frequently, in illus- 
tration of his theme, held up before his 
audience, the busts of several distin- 
guished persons, reniarkable for some 
"external indication of character" — 
and among the number thus exhibited, 
was one of Mr. Clay. The name was 
scarcely uttered by the speaker, when, 
as with a cooniion volition, and with 
one voice, there burst forth from the 
auditory, a loud and prolonged peal of 
applause, which shook the house to its 
foundations ! And this extraordinary 
manifestation of feeling was prompted 
by the mere mention of the name of a 
private citizen of the Republic ! 

Another proof of the surpassing popu- 
larity of this eminent man was recently 
witnessed at Germantown' in Pennsyl- 
vania. One of the members of the 
*' Clay Club " of that ancient and 
celebrated town had purchased a full- 
length portrait of Mr. Clay, exquisitely 
engraved in mezzotinto by Sartain, 
from Neagle's splendid painting, exe- 
cuted at Ashland, in 1843. Early in 



136 SKETCH OP THE LIFE 

the evening, and before the opening of 
the Hall, the picture was placed against 
the wall, behind the President's Chair, 
and covered. When silence prevailed, 
the covering was suddenly removed, 
and instantly the large assemblage 
arose, as one man, and gave repeatea 
cheers for the illustrious Statesman 
whose noble form and features were 
there so faithfully delineated by the 
distinguished and accomplished artist. 
It was at once a touching and a pa- 
triotic tribute to transcendant talent, 
services and worth, incited by feeli-ngs, 
the unbought and unprompted expres- 
sion of which, thus welling forth from 
warm and devoted hearts, Kings and 
Potentates may envy, but do not pos- 
sess the power to inspire or to com- 
mand. 

The picture of Mr. Neagle is worthj 
of his subject and of his own profes- 
sional fame; and to him will posterity 
award the honour of having been first 
to pro.duce, for the veneration of future 
ages, and with* almost the fidehty of 



OF HENRY CLAY. 137 

nature, the graceful person and beam- 
ing countenance of the man whose 
character and fame is the pride and 
the glory of his Country. 

We cannot resist the inclination to 
introduce, in this connexion, a well- 
authenticated anecdote which has not 
often appeared in print, and in thus 
presenting it to our readers, we will 
record the prediction that the same 
"TALL BOY," to whom reference is 
made — the unfriended Orphan — the ad- 
venturous and solitary Stranger — the 
brilliant Orator — the successful Advo- 
cate — the unrivalled Speaker of the 
House of National Representatives — 
the able Negotiator — the matchless 
Senator — the Nation's peerless States- 
man — will, and in despite of vile de- 
traction and base ingratitude, yet fulfil 
his splendid destiny — shedding, through 
his own, an unfading lustre upon his 
Country's, name, from that exalted sta- 
tion — the first and the last — to which 
the returning justice, no less than the 

12^ 



138 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

exigencies of a great people, impera- 
tively demand his elevation. 

" The Bar at Lexington was distin- 
guished for its talents. A tall, plain- 
looking, farmer-like young man, of one 
and twenty, was admitted to practice 
in the Courts. The old lawyers, al- 
though there was much professional 
rivalry among themselves, determined 
to prevent this beardless plebeian, as 
they termed him, from rising, by speak- 
ing disrespectfully of his qualifications. 
He pursued, however, the even tenor 
of his way, daily increasing in legal 
and intellectual strength, to the mor- 
tification of his seniors. At length, 
a case was called, of a complicated 
character, and he appeared for the de- 
fence, against such an array of the old 
members as had never before been re- 
tained by a client. Upon taking his 
seat, after making a triumphant argu- 
ment, they said, one to another, " we 
may as well let that tall boij pass, for 
he will pass, whether or not." He did 



OF HENRY CLAY. ISO 

pass — and his practice thereafter was 
more lucrative than that of all the other 
members of the Bar." 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

CONCLUSION. 

Mr.' Clay's Characteristics as a Statesman — Extraordinary 
position of Mr. John Tyler — Its effect upon his mind 
and character — Eulogy of Mr. Clay by Mr. George Ban- 
croft. , 

Mr. Clay has long occupied the first 
rank among the great men of the na- 
tion ; pre-eminent for the fervour of 
his patriotism and stern public virtue, 
unquaiJing courage, and determined 
faithfulness in the performance of his 
high national duties; he is, moreover, 
a Statesman of enlarged experience, 
comprehensive views, and most mag- 
nanimous dispositions ; and his varied 
and unprecedented labours, exalted 
and inappreciable services, entitle him 
to the profoundest gratitude and the 
highest honours of his country, — ho- 
-^iOurs which it concerns the national 
character cordially to bestow. 



140 SKETCH OP THE LIFE 

But it is more for that country's 
credit, happiness and prosperity, than 
for the advancement of his individual 
glory, that his feilow-citizens wish for 
the guidance of his master-spirit at the 
hehii ; for no station can add lustre to 
his fame, and universal experience 
proves that the heavy responsibilities 
of power countervail its attractions. 
His retirement from the Senate in 1842, 
— deeply as his conviction of its pro- 
priety was regretted by the people, was 
regarded by them as a noble act of self- 
sacrifice at the shrine of his country's 
welfare. The position he occupied in 
that august assemblage made him the 
"observed of all observers;" and the 
eyes and the hearts of the patriotic of 
all sections of this broad land were 
directed toward him with anxious so- 
licitude and hope. But the intrigues 
of envious and ambitious politicians 
rendered his counsels no longer availa- 
ble for the public good. Measures, 
originating with him, and essential to 
national prosperity, were pressed, in- 



OF HENRY CLAY. 141 

deed, with patriotic fervour upon those 
in office, but the wand of power was 
stretched forth, — "in envy of Great 
Caesar," — and all his earnest efforts for 
his country's happiness were paralyzed 
by the selfish and arbitrary will of one 
man, whom neither merit nor services 
of his own, but a deeply afflictive dis- 
pensation of Providence, had elevated 
to a station towards which, in his wild- 
est aspirations, his dazzled vision had 
never, seriously, endeavoured to gaze, 
and the giddy eminence of which, so 
unexpectedly attained, has produced, 
through a lamentable bewilderment of 
ordinary faculties, a strange forgetful- 
ness of honesty and truth, and de- 
veloped his utter unfitness for a wise 
discharge of its high responsibilities. 
Neither can the powerful apologetical 
eloquence, nor the rare special pleading 
of the late Secretary of State, as exhi- 
bited in his disingenuous and malevo- 
lent Speech at Faneuil Hall in Septem* 
ter 1842, win for the administration of 
the acting President the affection or the 



142 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

confidence of the nation, or rescue its 
head from that universal and abiding 
contempt to which he has been doomed 
by a deeply injured and offended peo- 
ple. 

" The age of virtuous politics is past, 



Jlnd we are deep in that of cold jfretencc. 
Patriots are grown too shrewd to be sincere, 
And we too wise to trust them." 

There is a crisis in the affairs of men 
upon which turns their best interests 
and the stability of their institutions. 
That crisis, with the American people, 
is at hand. Men elevated to power, 
almost by acclamation, reach the pin- 
nacle of ambition, and then betray the 
principles which commended them to 
favour ! And by another, and much 
larger class, every kind of unstates- 
manlike and ruinous experiment is de- 
vised in mere wanton hostility to the 
great conservative Party of the coun- 
try, which is, happily, never wearied in 
defending our blood-bought Constitu- 
tion against the assaults of those who 
seek a confirmation of their power, 



OF HEXRY CLAY. J 43 

even if their march for its attainment 
should be over the prostrated liberties 
of their suffering and, too long, patient 
country. That country, therefore, now 
demands the counsel and the rule of 
real Statesmen : men who have won 
the title in the Nation's service, and in 
her days, especially, of depression and 
of gloom. 

It is to them, under Providence, that 
she must look for political salvation — • 
for the guidance of the vessel of State 
through the billows and the breakers 
which threaten its integrity or destruc- 
tion, into the broad, calm, waters of 
the Pacific, where the surges of party 
animosity and corruption will cease 
to deluge her decks, and where, be- 
yond the reach and the rule of reck- 
less, unskilful or treacherous pilots, she 
will again majestically ride, the pride 
and the hope of freemen throughout 
the world ! 

In the agent through whom these 
great national benefits are to be ac- 
complished and firmly established, wd 



144 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

have presented to us a man whose illus- 
trious career is identified with his coun- 
try's history, the brightest page of 
which, no less than that which is 
clouded by the gloom of despondency 
and of doubt, bears — gratefully and 
proudly — the imperishable record of 
those inappreciable services and sacri- 
fices which have given character, dig- 
nity, and honour to the American name, 
and a glorious immortality to that of 
Henry Clay. 

Mr. Clay has been too long identified 
with the patriotic hopes of the Whigs, 
to permit his continued separation 
from them for any other cause than 
that of death. Considerations of gra- 
titude and admiration apart, the neces- 
sities of a misgoverned and suffering 
country loudly call him from retirement, 
and the history of his life abundantly 
proves that her call has never yet been 
made in vain. 

We cannot better close this imperfect 
sketch than in the just and appropriate 
language of Mr. George Bancroft, the 



OF HENRY CLAY. 145 

learned and accurate historian of the 
United States. In 1832, he thus wrote 
in reference to Mr. Clay, whose opi- 
nions, principles and character have, as 
has been shown, undergone no change, 
while circumstances, extraneous to the 
present position and past career of the 
distinguished object of his glowing pa- 
negyric, have placed Mr. Bancroft fore- 
most in the ranks of ultra-democracy : 
" In early youth and in maturer years, 
as a citizen and as a Representative, at 
home or abroad, in peace and in war, 
in the Chair of the House of Represen- 
tatives, in a most important Diplomatic 
capacity, in the Cabinet and in the Se- 
nate, he has been the strenuous, inde- 
fatigable, eloquent and triumphant sup- 
porter of those principles of govern- 
ment and policy on which the union of 
the States and prosperity of the people 
depend. The entire political life of this 
distinguished Statesman is a guaranty 
to the country that, beneath his auspi- 
ces, the reign of violence, of arbitrary 
discretion, of secret influence, and per- 
13 K 



146 SKETCH OF THE LIFE 

emptory dictation, will pass away, and 
that of civil rule will return. Under 
his administration, the people of the 
United States will enjoy, what they are 
now deprived of— the benefit of a go- 
vernment of laws. The directory of 
tlie administration will be found in the 
statute book, and the other constitu- 
tional depositories of the law, and not 
in private executive construction. Of- 
fices whose uncorrupt discharge is es- 
sential to the welfare of the people, will 
no longer be regarded as the spoils of 
victory. Appointments repeatedly ne- 
gatived by the constitutional advisers 
of the President, will not be renewed, 
by his sole will, the moment that the 
Senate adjourns. The execution of the 
laws will not be suspended on the pre- 
tence of their unconstitutionality. The 
countenance of the administration will 
not be extended to an unprincipled 
press, nor offices of trust and emolu- 
ment bestowed as the reward of the 
slanderer. The patronage of the go- 
vernment will not be exerted to defeat 



OP HENRY CLAY. 147 

the will of the people. The great do- 
mestic interests of the country will be 
upheld by a steady unequivocal sup- 
port ; its industry will be spared the 
shock of a disordered currency. The 
faith of treaties will be kept sacred, and 
the honour of the United States will be 
sustained in their intercourse with fo- 
reign governments ; and the Union of 
the States, the precious legacy we have 
inherited from our fathers, will be pre- 
served unimpaired for our children." 



THE 



CLAY MINSTREL. 



{149) 



" I was born a Democrat, — rocked in the 
cradle of the Revolution— aud at the darkest 
period of that ever memorable .struggle for 
Freedom. I recollect in 1781 or '82, a visit 
made by Tarletoa's troops to the house of 
my mother, and of their running their swords 
iuto the new-made graves of my father, and 
grandfather, thinking they contained hidden 
treasures. Though then not more than four 
or five years of age, the circumstance of that 
visit is vividly remembered, and it will be to 
the last moment of my life. I was born a 
Democrat— was raised and nurtured aRepul>- 
lican — and sh^U die a Republican, in thefaiih 
aad principles of my fathers." — 

Clays Speech, in Indiana, 1S42. 



(150) 



A .IM IL Ji m w 




^mm ^niii? ©IF ^isiis 
BLOWo HEMMY OILAY 

NEAR LEXINGTON, KY. 
(152) 



» 



THE . 



CLAY MINSTREL 



HARRY OF THE WEST. 
Air — The Star- Spangled Banner, 

Lo ! the chieftain is gone from the scene of his 

fame, 
But the halo of ages shall gather around it ; 
For his sword waved in Justice and Liberty's 

name, • 

And Liberty's hand with her myrtle has 
crown' d it, * 

He has mounted on high to the patriot's sky, 
While his country was last in the heart and the 

sigh, 
But joy ! tho' the hero has gone to his rest, 
His MANTLE is left to our Hope of the West. 

He shall wear it in glory, in honour, in power, 
fa despite of abstraction, of knaves and of 
treason, 

And the venal shall tremble, the coward shall 
cower, 
Ephemeral insects that flutter their season. 

(153) 



134 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Yes, the noble and great, in the forum of state, 
By the dictum of freemen, the fiat of fate, 
Shall rule o'er the land thathis labours have blest, 
Our Harry, the dauntless, and pride of the West! 

He has stood like a rock when the tempest has 
roar'd, 

And the gallant have trembled at dangers sur- 
rounding, 
'.'\Iid the war of great minds his warm spirit has 
• soar'd, 

In the triumph of genius the proudest con- 
founding. 

The tyrant's strong chain he has riven amain— 
Bear witness, fair Greece, and Colombia's plain ; 
Then deep in our hearts with the noblest and 
best, 

We'll shrine him, our Harry, and Hope of the 
West. 

Look o'er the proud scroll of your glorious 
names. 

From the light of to-day, through the long 
lapse of ages. 

To souls that were honour's, and virtue's and 
fame's, 

Whose fire and devotion illume the world's 
pages- 
Then turn in your pride where the whole are 
allied — 

To the statesman unyielding, the patriot guidosj 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 155 

And point, while your gratitude beams all ex- 

press'd, 
To Harry, our glory, and Star of the West. 

Fill, fill to the brim in the lymph of your springs, 
And toast him, fair Liberty's peerless de- 
fender : 
And bear it, ye breezes, on wondering wings, 

Wherever Aurora diffuses her splendour. 
Our banner's unfurled, it shall beacon the world, 
'Till the Dagon of doubt and abstraction is 
hurled. 

And we throne in his place whom his country 

loves best — 
Our Harry, the glory, the pride of the West. 

F. R. H. 



A WHIG WAR SONG. 

Tune — Auld Lang Syne. 

O Freemen raise the battle cry, 
And to your weapons spring ; 
With all the force your wrongs supply, 
Loud make the welkin ring ! 
Loud make the welkin ring, brave boys. 

Loud make the welkin ring ; 
With all the force your wrongs supply, 
Loud make the welkin ring ! 



156 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

What though the laurels dearly won 

By courage, toil, and cost, 
Withered hke grass beneath the sun, 
Have been through treason lost ; 
Have been through treason lost, brave boys, 

Have been through treason lost ; 

Withered hke grass beneath the sun, 

Have been through treason lost. 

Another field will them restore, 

In all their pride and bloom, 
And twine securer than before, 
Sealed by a Traitor's doom. 

Sealed by a Traitor's doom, brave boys, 

Sealed by a Traitor's doom ; 
And twine securer than before, 
Sealed by a Traitor's doom. 

And shall the Brave who late o'erthrew 

Their foes in might arrayed, 
Now shun the conflict they renew, 
Led by the Renegade ? 

Led by the Renegade, brave boys. 

Led by the Renegade ; 
Now shun the conflict they renew, 
Led by the Renegade ? 

Then to the rescue once again ! 

Rend from the Fox his prey ; 
And shout, as home ye strike amain 

The name of Henry Clay ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 157 

The name of Henry Clay, brave boys, 

The name of Henky Clay ; 
And shout, as home ye strike amain, 

The name of Hejxry Clay ! 

s. l. 



GALLANT HARRY. 

Tune — Royal Charlie. 
Song of the Clay Club of Germantovvn, 

Once more, and at our Country's call, 

We're here this night to rally, 
From lowly cot and stately hall, 

From mountain top and valley ! 
Come east, come west, 
Come strive your best ; 

Oh ! freemen do not tarry, 
But strike the blow, your foes o'erthrow. 

And shout for gallant Harry ! 

And shout for gallant Harry ! 
But strike the blow, your foes o'erthrow, 

And shout for Gallant Harry. 

When doubt and gloom o'erspread the land 

And e'en the boldest trembled, 
Who was it took the foremost stand, 
And never yet dissembled I 
Come south, come north, 
Come boldly forth. 
And strike for Clay and Glory ! 



15S THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

For this he'll stand the test of tune, 

And live in noblest story, 

And live in noblest story ; 
For this he'll stand the test of time, 

And live in noblest story ! 

Then pass his honour'd name around, 
Till echoes catch your thunder I 

The universal glad rebound, 
Shall make the Tories wonder I 
Come one, come all 
Let naught appal, 
Brave boys no longer tarry. 

But stand by him M^ho never quail'd. 
Our true and gallant Harry, 
Our true and gallant Harry ; 

But stand by him who never quail'd, 
Our true and Gallant Harry ! 

There's not a lass in this broad land 

But vows she'd scorn to marry, 
The lad who don't give heart and hand 

To glorious, gallant Harry ! 
Come east, come west. 
Come all the rest, 

'Tis ours the day to carry. 
And once again our foes o'erthrow, 

Led on by gallant Harry, 

Led on by gallant Harry ; 
And once again our foes o'erthrow, 

Led on by Gallant Harry ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 159 

Then here's a heakh to Harry's cause ! 

Let not the wild notes tarry ! 
Thy noble name our heart's blood warms, 

Thrice great and gallant Harry ! 
We'll strive our best, 
And know no rest, 

'Till we the ship shall carry, 
And all our foes o'ercome or won, 

Subdued by gallant Harry, 

Subdued by gallant Harry ; 
And all our foes o'ercome or won, 

SusDUED BY Gallant Haeky ! 

Our Western Hope — the Hope of all, 

Through us shall not miscarry, 
For NOW we're pledged to stand or fall, 
With noble, gallant Harry ! 
Then strive your best, 
Heroic West, 
The glorious cause to carry — 
To strike the traitor's banner low ; 
And stand by gallant Harry, 
And stand by gallant Harry ; 
To strike the traitor's banner low, 
And stand by Gallant Harry ! 

J. s. L. 



14 



160 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

HARRY OF KENTUCKY. 

Tune — ' Tis my delight of a shi7iy night. 

Once more our glorious banner out 
Upon the breeze we throw — 

Beneath its folds, with song and shout, 
Let 's charge upon the foe ! 

Our chosen chief, alas ! — no more 
Shall place his lance in rest — 

But well we know the love he bore 
Our Harry of the West, 
Our Harry of the West, my boys, 
Our Harry of the West. 

Then brothers, rise and rally round 

The statesman ever true. 
Until his name, with trumpet sound, 

Shall wake the welkin's blue. 
And millions, with admiring eyes. 

Shall call him from his rest, 
The Hero of new victories. 

Our Harry of the West, &c. 

When sought the red coats, as of old, 

The empire of the Free. 
And British cannons once more rolled 

Its thunder o'er the sea. 
Who loudest cheered our gallant tars. 

And fired the soldier's breast. 
Till victory Irailed our stripes and stars', 

But Harry of the West, &-c. 



\ 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 161 

And when no more the groaning South 

To Spain would bend the knee, 
But rising, at the cannon's mouth, 

Proclaimed she would be free — 
Who heard his burning accents fall, 

And reared her starry crest, 
YouNa Independence, at the call 

Of Harry of the West, &c. 

Whene'er forgot the common weal, 

And party waves run strong. 
Till e'en the wisest halt and feel 

That everything goes wrong — 
There 's one the ohve branch who brings, 

And lulls the storm to rest, 
Till peace comes on her angel wings, 

'Tis Harry of the West, &c. 

Let Ty with Calhoun -'jump just so," 

And dance " Virginny reels," 
Each striving which to Whigs can show 

The cleanest pair of heels. 
Let loco focos bid them hail, 

We 'II head their trait'rous guest, 
Kentucky rifles never fail 

With Harry of the West, &c. 

Let Van his mottled forces drill, 

Till Benton swears 'tis hard, 

And captain Tyler shows his skill" 

With his tremendous " Guard." 
1 « "^ 



162 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

What care we for them, great and small, 

.E'en though they do their best? 
For old Kentuck will head them all — 
Our Harry of the West, &c. 

The honours which the hero won, 

Encircle not his head — 
Like withered wreaths, they rest upon 

Another'' s brow instead — 
The statesman never faithless known, 

The worthiest and the best, 
Shall make them bloom again — our own 

True Harry of the West, &.c. 

Oh ! ever green the sods that lie 

Above the sainted Dead — 
And o'er our path his memory, 

For aye his radiance shed ! 
Its hallowed light shall fall upon 

Our flag, where'er it rest, 
And write the name of Harrison 

With Harry of the West, &c. 

Then let the glorious banner float 

To the sunshine and the blast, 
Till victory sounds her bugle note, 

The din of battle past. 
No brighter name can lead us on, 

High on its folds imprest. 
Than thine, truth's gallant Champion, 

Our Harry of the West, &c. 

i. H. w 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 163 



THE WORKING-MEN'S SONG. 

Tune — '^There 's nae luck about the house" — or 
''The Washing Day." 

Times wont be right, 'tis plain to see, 

Till Tyler runs his race ; 
But then we'll have a better man, 

To put into his place. 
For now we '11 rouse with might and main, 

And work and work away. 
And work ! work ! work ! work ! 

And put in Henry Clay. 

The Farmers want good times again, 

To sell their wheat and pork. 
And so, to put in Henry Clay, 

They 're going right to work. 
They '11 plough and sow, and reap and mow, 

And thresh and thresh away. 
And thresh, thresh, thresh, thresh. 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The Labouring Men that want more work, 

And higher wages too, 
Will help to put in Henry Clay, 

With better times in view. 
They '11 saw and chop, and grub and dig, 

And shovel and shovel away, 
And shovel, shovel, shovel, shovel. 

And vote for Henry Clay. 



164 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The Weavers too will go to work 

For a Tariff and Henry Clay, 
They '11 make us all the cloth we want, 

If they can have fair play. 
They '11 reel and spool, and warp and wind, 

And weave and weave away, 
And weave, weave, weave, weave, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

We want no clothino ready made, 

From England or from France, 
We 've Tailors here who know their trade, 

They ought to have a chance. 
They '11 cut and baste, and hem and press^ 

And stitch and stitch away. 
And stitch, stitch, stich, stich. 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The Hatters do not want to see 

Their kettles standing dry. 
And so they'll go for Henry Clay, 

And then the fur will fly. 
They '11 nap and block, and colour and bind, 

And finish and finish away. 
And finish, finish, finish, finish. 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

Shoemakers too, with right good will. 

Will join the working throng, 
And what they do for Henry Clay, 

They do both neat and strong. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 165 

They 'II crimp and cut, and last and stitch, 

And ball and ball away, 
And ball, ball, ball, ball, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The Coopers know, when farmers thrive, 

Their trade is always best, 
And so they '11 go, with one accord, 

For Harry of the West. 
They '11 dress and raise, and truss and croze, 

And hoop and hoop away, 
And hoop, hoop, hoop, hoop, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

The Blacksmiths will roll up their sleeves, 

Their sledges they will swing, 
And at the name of Henry Clay, 

They '11 make their anvils ring. 
They '11 blow and strike, and forge and weld, 

And hammer and hammer away, 
And hammer, hammer, hammer, hammer, 

And vote for Henry Clay. 

And thus we '11 work, and thus we '11 sing, 

Till Tyler's race is run, 
And then we '11 have, to fill his place, 

Kentucky's favourite son, 
For now we '11 rouse, whh might and main, 

And work and work away, 
And work, work, work, work, 

And put in Henry Clay. 



166 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

ONWARD. 
TvNE—Eory O'More. 

Onward ! — speed onward ! and spread to the 
gale, 
The time-honour'd banner our fathers once 
bore, 
And fast to the mast-top the star-spangles nail, 
Till our country's great conflict is gloriously 
o'er! 

They fought for that freedom, so long our proud 
boast — 
They peril'd their fortune, their honour, their 
life,— 
And shall all be hetray'd, or dishonour'd or lost, 
And their Sons hazard naught in the patriot 
strife ! 

The laurels they won are still green in their age, 
And never shall fade in a chaplet so pure ; 

But brighter and clearer, on History's page, 
Shall glow the proud record while time shall 
endure ! 

Then onward ! press onward ! nor pause ye to 
rest. 
While a foe to your country is found in the 
land ! 
With a cause that is makshalled by Hal 
OF THE West, 
Tee bulwarks of freedom securely shall 
sta:?jd. J- s. L. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 167 

WHIG BANNER SONG. 

Tune — Bruce' s Address. 

Whigs ! once more the Banner raise ! 
Whigs ! remember by-gone days 1 
Let not time the name erase, 
That led to victory ! 

By your love for Harrison ! 
By your triumph dearly won ! 
Arouse ye now and nobly on ! 
Whigs that dare be free ! 

By your hopes of Harry Clay ! 
By your resolve to win the day ! 
Rush ye, bravely, to the 'fray, 
Freedom loudly calls I 

Should foul dishonour mar our name, 
Or Treason's vile, envenom' d flame, 
O'erspread the land with gloom and shame, 
This glorious fabric falls ! 

No party mandate prompts the strife, - 
We wage a war for Home, — for life, 
Against corruption, rank and rife. 
And heartless treachery ! 

Raise high the Banner to the storm ! 
No blast from traitor lungs can harm ! 
No Tory slander can deform 

Its peerless blazonry . J. s. l. 



168 THE CLAY MINSTKEL. 

YANKEE DOODLE! 

Shout Yankee Doodle ! Whigs, huzza ! 

We're done with Captain Tyler ! 
He who has been his country's flaw, 
Shall never more defile her ! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, 
And proudly here proclaim him 
The great, the good, the valiant Hal, 
And shout whene'er ye name nni ! 
Our noble Harry is the man 

The Nation most delights in ; 
To place him first is now the plan ;— 
For this we're -all uniting ! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, &c. 

Then, Johnny, haste your " duds" to pack, 

iJe '• spry" and do not tarry ; 
But run to " Old Virginny" back- 
We'want the House for Harry ! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, &c. 
For loud and long the country calls 
For the bold Ashland Farmer ; 
Bravest when danger most appals. 
With him no foe shall harm her. 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, &c 
Brave Whigs ! where'er the gallant song 
—'•Log Cabins and Hard Cider"— 
Was chorus'd loud and echo'd long ; 
Let this be heard — and wider ! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 169 

Old Yankee Doodle's noble tune 
Suits glorious Hal quite handy ! 
Then be it sung again " righf^ soon, 
Sweet Yankee Doodle Dandy ! 
For farmer Clay then boys hurrah ! 

And proudly here proclaim him 
The great, the good, the vahant Hal, 
And shout whene'er ye name him. 

J. s. L. 



ST. LOUIS CLAY CLUB SONG. 
Tune — Rosin the Bow. 

Come all ye bold lads of old '40, 
Who rallied 'round Tippecanoe, 

And give us your hearts and your voices, 
For Harry the noble and true. 

Come show the whole world that our spirit 
Is up again, ^' sartain and sure;'''' 

And push right ahead for our Harry, 
Great Harry — the honest and pure. 

Come forth, one and all, to the battle. 
Determined the country to save ; 

And strike for the Farmer of Ashland, 
For Harry, the great and the brave. 

A leader is he who ne'er fail'd us, 
So now we will give him our best ; 

Then shout for the friend of Home Lahour, 
The patriot, Hal of the West. 
15 



170 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

For Protection he ever has struggled 
His coat you will find is home-made: 

He goes dead against the starvation 
That comes vi'ith one-sided free trade. 

So for home, and home's friend, let's huzza, 

And never give over the fight, 
Till the corporal's guard and the Locos 

Are put to inglorious flight. 

We're engaged for the war, and we'll " go it !" 
You need'nt believe we'll back out ! 

For the flag of bold Harry is flying. 
And " Harry and Home,^' we will shout ! 

For Harry's the name we delight in — 
O'er mountain and plain let it flow ; 

For as true as you live, if we falter, 
To ruin we surely must go. 



LEAVE VAIN REGRETS. 

Air — Auld Lang Syne. 
Leave vain regrets for errors past. 

Nor cast the ship away — 
But nail your colours to the mast, 
And strike for Harry Clay. 
And strike for Harry Clay, my boys. 

And strike for Harry Clay, 
And nail your colours to the mast, 
And strike for Harry Clay. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 171 

From him no treason need be fear'd, 

Your cause he'll ne'er betray, 
What name to Freemen so endear'd, 
As that of Harry Clay ; 
As that of Harry Clay, my boys, 

As that of Harry Clay, 
What name to Freemen so endear'd, 
As that of Harry Clay. 

No vain abstractions fill his head, 

To lead his heart away. 
For every noble promise made, 
Is kept by Harry Clay. 
Is kept by Harry Clay, my boys, 

Is kept by Harry Clay ; 
For every noble promise made, 
Is kept by Harry Clay. 

Then let not ruin's hated form 

Thus fill you with dismay. 
But gathering strength to breast the storm, 
Stand fast by Harry Clay. 
Stand fast by Harry Clay, my boys, 

Stand fast by Harry Clay ; 
But gathering strength to brave the storm, 
Stand fast by Harry Clay. 

Rise, bravely rise, one effort more, 

Your motto thus display, 
Protection for our native shore, 

>?iistain'd by Harry Clay, 



172 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Sustain'd by Harry Clay, my boys, 
Sustain' d by Harry Clay ; 

Protection for our native shore, 
Sustain'd by Harry Clay. 

And o'er our gallant Chieftain's* grave, 

Pledge we our faith this day, 
In weal or ivoe, no change to know, 
Till triumphs Harry Clay, 
Till triumphs Harry Clay, my boys, 

Till triumphs Harry Clay, 
In weal or woe, no change to know, 
Till triumphs Harry Clay. 



THE LITTLE RED FOX. 

Tune — Ole Dan Tucker. 

The moon was up, and bright as day, 
The stars they winked in their quiet way— 
When the Kinderhook Fox was chased by a 

Coon, 
As the west wind whistled this bran new tune — 
Get out of the way, you 're quite too late — 
You Uttle Red Fox of the Empire State. 

The Fox had hoped that the Buckeye Boys 
Would beat off the Coon with a thundering 
noise. 



*The lamented Harriaon. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 173 

Bat his heart grew sad, and his fur flew off, 
As he heard, while he hiccupped a church-yard 
cough, 
Get out of the way, &c. 

Over the Una to old Pennsyltuck, 

The Fox thought he 'd go in search of luck ; 

But the cry went up, "we don't want you 

here," 
And they sung, as there dropt from his eye a 

tear, 
Get out of the way, &c. 

So on he went, to the old North State, 
With the hope that "Old Rip" would avert 

his fate ; 
But when he got there, he lost his tail. 
And the Coon boys sung, as he " cut " with a 
wail. 
Get out of the way, &c. 

The tailless Fox then went to Tennessee, 
To beg a Utile help from Old Plick-o-ree ; 
But he heard, as he went, a loud shout for 

Jones, 
And the song, as he scampered to save his 

bones, 
Get out of the way, &c. 

Breathless with fear, and without a tail, 
The sight of a Coon-skin made him quail ; 



174 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

He jumped like a thief to a " cut-dirt" tune, 
And heard, while he yelled Uke a frightened 
loon, 
Get out of the way, &c. 

On he leaped, with a limping gait, 
And took his way through Maryland State ; 
But it followed him there Uke a hue and cry, 
That terrible sound which he could not fly, 
Get out of the way, &c. I 

Wearied and worn, and chased by the "Coon," 

His head became bald as a shaved baboon ; 

When he reached Lindenwold he sighed "I'm 
unlucky ;" 

For the people all sing, as they shout "Ken- 
tucky," 
Get out of the way, &c. 

So the Fox lay down, and his voice got wheezy, 
His face grew pale, and his stomach uneasy ; 
He heaved, he kicked, and cried I am lost. 
And the night- wind moaned, as he gave up the 
ghost, 
The little Red Fox is quite unlucky, 
For the people are going for Old Kentucky ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 175 

GET OUT OF THE WAY! 

Tune — Ole Dan Tucker. 

The moon was shining silver bright, 
The stars with glory crowned the night, 
High on a limb that " same old Coon" 
Was singing to himself this tune : 

Chorus. 
Get out of the way, you're all unlucky ; 
Clear the track for Old Kentucky ! 

Now in a sad predicament 
The Lokies are for President, 
They have six horses in the pasture, 
And don't know which can run the faster : 
Get out of the way, &c. 

The wagon-horse from Pennsylvany, 
The Dutchmen think he 's best of any ; 
But he must drag in heavy stages. 
His federal notions and low wages : 
Get out of the way, &c. 

They proudly bring upon the course 
An old and broken-down war-horse ; 
They shout and sing ' O rumpsey dumsey, 
Colonel Johnson killed Tecumsey '' 
Get out of the way, &c. ^ 



176 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



And here is Cass, though not a dunce. 
Will run both sides of the track at once ; 
To win the race will all things copy, 
Be sometimes pig, and sometimes puppy : 
Get out of the way, &c. 

The fiery southern horse Calhoun, 
Who hates a Fox and fears a Coon, 
To toe the scratch will not be able. 
For Matty keeps him in the stable ; 
Get out of the way, «Sz-c. 

And here is Matty, never idle, 
A tricky horse that slips his bridle ; 
In forty-four we '11 show him soon 
The httle Fox can't fool the Coon : 
Get out of the way, &c. 

The balkey horse they call John Tyler, 
Wo '11 head him soon or burst his boiler ; 
His cursed " grippe" has seized us all. 
Which Doctor Clay will cure next fall : 
Get out of the way, &c. 

The people's favourite, HexVry Clay, 
Is now the ' Fashion' of the day, 
And let the track be dry or mucky, 
We '11 stake our pile on Old Kentucky : 

Get out of the way, he 's swift and lucky. 

Clear the track for Old Kentucky ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 177 

A NEW SONG TO AN OLD TUNE. 
Tune — John Anderson, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

When first we were acquaint. 
You did pretend to be a Whig, 

For Harry, sir, you went ; 
But now you 've got in power, John, 

The cloven foot you show, 
A curse upon all traitors, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

The Whigs they fought t'gither, 
And many a canty day, John, 

They had with one anither. 
But you have them betrayed, John, 

And why did you do so ? 
A curse upon all traitors, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

When nature first began. 
To try her canny hand, John, 

Her master- work was man. 
But when she turned out you, John, 

She swore it was " no go," 
You proved to be but journey-work. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 



178 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

Why will you be a fool, 
And sneak around the locos, John, 

Who use you for a tool. 
They 're laughing in their sleeves, John. 

To think that you '11 veto 
The only Bill can save you, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

The higher monkeys go, 
The more they show their tails, John, 

You know it's even so. 
Then get you out the White House, John, 

And homeward do you go, 
And make the people happy, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo, John, 

You've vetoed now the Bill, 
And done an act of treachery. 

That must your measure fill ; 
Now go among the people, John, 

Their minds if you would know. 
And hst to their deep curses, John, 

John Tyler, sir, my Jo. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 179 

THE WHIG BATTLE CRY. 

Tune — The Campbells are Coming. 

Away to the battle, our foemen are near, 
The cries of their leaders are mingled with fiear; 
Their host is divided — their courage is fled, 
And the Eagle of victory screams at our head. 

Then down with your enemies — rush to the 

charge. 
They have set on our people dread ruin at 

large ; 
From mountain and valley their cries have 

gone up. 
They have drunk, of the contents of misery's cup. 

Then onward — our leader has ever been true, 
He lives for his country and battles for you. 
Old Time in his hurry has honoured his brow, 
And Harry for freedom is struggling now. 

Our banners are flinging their folds to the air, 
And the name of our champion nobly they 

bear — 
The friend of the poor man — the greatest — the 

best, 
The man that we love— Henry Clay ohhe West. 



180 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

THE WHIG CHIEF. 

Tune — Hail to the Chief. 

Shout for our Whig Chief, the bold Ashland 
Farmer, 
From the East to the West pass his glorious 
name. 
No heart for his country beats truer or warmer, 
No mind glows more brightly with Liberty's 
flame. 
He who in danger's hour, 
With Demosthenian power. 
First roused our sons to repel the proud foe, 
With our votes we will hft 
To our land's highest gift. 
And honour great Harry, ho ! ieroe ! ro ! 

Shout for our Whig Chief the honest and fearless, 

Onward he comes to relieve the distress'd. 
The sky of our country, so long dark and 
cheerless, 
Shall brighten beneath this great light of the 
west. 
Then raise the joyous song. 
Give the long pull and strong, 
To the White House at last our Whig Chief 
must go ; 
Fair trade shall flourish then. 
Justice shall reign again. 
And Freemen bless Harry, ho 1 ieroe ! ro! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 181 



FOR HOME PROTECTION AND 
FOR CLAY. 

The gallant Whigs have drawn the sword, 
And thrown the idle sheath away ; 

And onward is the battle-word, 
For Home Protection and For Clay. 

We now have set the ball in motion, 
That like the sun rolls night and day ; 

While from the prairie to the ocean 
Awakes a shout for Henry Clay. 

Farewell to sorrow, grief, and fear ! 

Farewell to him who now has sway ; 
The day of change is drawing near, 

When he gives place to Henry Clay. 

We 've drawn the sword, now rally all, 
As hunters at the break of day ; 

Leave cottage hearth, and festive hall. 
And take the field for Henry Clay. 

For he is now the naticcn's choice, 
The nation's hope, the nation's stay ; 

Then shout, with one united voice, 
For home Protection and for Clay. 



16 



182 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

OUR HARRY THE TRUE. 
AiR' — Eosin the bow. 

Ye Locos of old Pennsylvany, 
Of every old state and each new ; 

Take warning, come out with the many, 
And vote for our Harry the true. 

We 've a multitude here past enduring, 
Our foes once again they look blue ; 

They see there 's no chance for Van Buren, 
In a fight with our Harry the true. 

New York and New Jersey are ours, 

Massachusetts, Connecticut too ; 
And Vermont, with her green mountain flowers, 

Will flourish for Harry the true. 

We 'd a brush in Rhode Island but lately. 
Just to show 'em what Yankees could do ; 

And we flogged 'em all round most completely, 
In the name of our Harry the true. 

In old never-tire Virginny, 

They have found of good Whigs not a few ; 
She 's a state, sirs, I '11 hold you a guinea, 

Goes hollow for Harry the true. 

Who flies to the rescue ? Kentucky ! 

Full of hearts gallant, loyal, like you ; 
We shall beat them with brave men and lucky, 

With Harry Clay noble and true. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 183 

Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, 

Their towns and green prairies go through ; 
And you '11 hear, in each nook of the trio, 

Loud shouts for our Harry the true. 

On Michigan shores, in Missouri 
The ball still in motion we view ; 

But Benton cries out, in a fury, 
'Tis rolling towards Harry the true. 

xMissiseippi and Louisiana, 

Tennessee, Alabama, here too ; 
They, from each noble hill and savannah, 

Send voices for Harry the true. 

Should I name all the people are ibr us. 
It is plain I should never get through ; 

Then rejoice in the prospect before us — 
Huzza ! for our Harry the true. 

But before I quite finish my ditty. 
Let me claim, patriot Maryland, you ; 

And hail ! noble monument city, 
Where we gather for Harry the true. 



HURRAH FOR THE CLAY! 

Tune — How happy^s the Soldier. 

A health to the Farmer, who follows the plough, 
And earns independence by sweat of the brow ! 



184 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

He sings, as he turns the rich soil to the day, 
' How happy 's the farmer who hves by the 

Clay.' 
Hurrah for the Clay, Hurrah for the Clay, 
How happy 's the farmer who lives by the 

Clay! 

CHORUS. 

Hurrah for the Clay, hurrah for the Clay, 
How happy 's the farmer who lives by ihfc 
Clay! 

The Brickmaker places his forms m tne sun. 
To harden them well when his moulding is 

done ; 
Then fires them boldly, not fearing that they 
Will crack in the kiln, for he trusts to his Clay, 
Trusts to the Clay ! trusts to the Clay ! 
It stands every trial, the well-tempered Clay ! 
Hurrah for the Clay, hurrah for the Clay, 
It stands every trial, the well-tempered Clay ? 

The Potter is careful in choosing his stuff, 
And works it to make it both plastic and toagh ; 
And sings, as he fashions his ware on the tray, 
' We 'd all go to pot if it were not for Clay, 
If it were not for Clay, if it were not for Clay, 
We 'd all go to pot if it were not for Clay 1' 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay ! 
We 'd all go to pot if it were not for Clay. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 185 

The Dyer, good fellow, the ladies to please, 
Takes Clay for a mordant, and Clay for the 

grease ; 
And proud of his colours so true and so gay, 
Sings, ' Boys, as we live, let us dye by the Clay. 
Dye by the Clay, dye by the Clay! 
Who wouldn't be willing to die by the Clay. 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay I 
Who wouldn't be wiUing to die by the Clay ?' 

The Ditcher, who works in the mud and the 

sand. 
Is cheated by slides of the treacherous land ; 
And cries in despair as the work breaks away, 
' It wouldn't be so, if I trusted to Clay I 
Trusted to Clay ! trusted to Clay ! 
It wouldn't be so if I trusted to Clay.' 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay ! 
It wouldn't be so if we'd trusted to Clay ! 

The toil- wearied Cotter, at evening at home, 
Though soiled are his hands and his jacket with 

loam, 
Is happy to see his sweet children at play, 
And smiles at their bhss, for he earned it by 

Clay, 
Earned it by Clay ! earned it by Clay ! 
He smiles at their bliss, for he earned it by Clay. 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay I 
Let 's follow the Cotter and ' work in' the Clay! 
16* 



186 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

When winter-winds howl round the Clay-plas- 
tered cot, 

And ven'son is smoking, and hominy hot, 

The woodman exults that the tempest's at bay, 

And he laughs at the storm, for he 's sheltered 
by Clay. 

Sheltered by Clay ! sheltered by Clay ! 

He laughs at the storm, for he 's sheltered by 
Clay. 

Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay ! 

We'll laugh at the storms when we're shel- 
tered by Clay. 

The Cabin of State to its ruin runs fast, 
It lets in the snow drift, the rain and the blast ; 
Its furniture 's rotten, its timbers decay, 
And nothing can save it but filling with Clay. 
FiUing with Clay ! filling with Clay! 
Nothing can save it but filling with Clay. 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay I 
And nothing can save it but filling with Clay. 

The world over, boys, there is Clay that is good, 
For building of cabins and raising of food, 
But for work such as ours let me tell you the 

best 
Is Clay of Kentucky — The Clay of the 

West. 
Clay of the West, Clay of the West, 
There 's nothing for us like the Clay of the 

West. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 187 

Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay ! 
There 's nothing for us hke the Kentucky Clay. 

Come join then, my hearties, each son of the 

land, 
And citizen stranger, hand linked into hand, 
United and earnest, we 'U carry the day. 
And rescue the land by top-dressing with Clay. 
Topping with Clay, topping with Clay, 
We '11 rescue the land by top-dressing with 

Clay. 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay ! 
We '11 rescue the land by top-dressing with 

Clay. 

Nine cheers for great Harry, whose honour 

won't bend. 
Who never turned back on a foe or a friend, 
Who works for his country by night and by 

day, 
The country will thank him by working for 

Clay. 
Working for Clay, working for Clay, 
The country will thank him by working for 

Clay, 
Hurrah for the Clay ! hurrah for the Clay ! 
The country will thank him by working for 

Clay. 



188 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

HARRY, THE HONEST AND TRUE. 

Tune — Eosiii the Bow. 

Ye gallant true Whigs of the army 
That conquer' d for Tippecanoe, 

Come with us, and join now the standard 
Of '^ Harry, tkehonest and true ;^^ 
Of Harry, the honest and true, 
Of Harry, the tried and the true ; 

Who " fought in the ranks," as a soldier. 
With us, for old Tippecanoe. 

We have not, my friends, now to lead us, 

Our former commander, 'tis true. 
For death has been here and promoted 

Our chieftain, brave Tippecanoe ; 

Our chieftain, brave Tippecanoe, 

Our gallant old Tippecanoe ; 
He's left us to join the high army 

Of those who are faithful and true. 

Yet in the same cause we're united, 

We fight the same enemy too, 
And have for our leader invited 

The friend of old Tippecanoe ; 

The friend of old Tippecanoe, 

Our honest old Tippecanoe ; 
He's left none behind him more worthy 

Than Harry the gifted and true. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 189 

We know that he never will leave us, 

To join with the enemy's crew ; 
We know he will never deceive us, 

He ever was honest and true ; 

The Statesman, bold, fearless and true ; 

Our Harry, the honest and true ; 
The trusty and cherish' d supporter, 

And friend of old Tippecanoe. 

Our gallant old chief when he left us, 

Bequeath'd us a " Captain," thought true. 
But the traitor has since join'd the army 

That fought against Tippecanoe ; 

That fought against Tippecanoe, 

Our noble old Tippecanoe ; 
But come, boys, we'll yet "head the Captain,'" 

With Harry, the dauntless and true. 

The victory we gain'd once so nobly. 

We've lost, and by treachery too, 
But shall ever the soldiers despair, boys, 

Who've fought with old Tippecanoe ? 

Who've fought with old Tippecanoe, 

The gallant old Tippecanoe ; 
Pick your flints again — look to your priming j 

And — Fire I boys, for Harry, the true. 



190 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

HARRY OF KENTUCKY, HO ! lEROE ! 

I Tune — Hail to the Chief. 

Welcome the strain that around us is pealing, 
Fraught with a music to Freemen so dear, 
Who but will join it, the glad truth revealing, 
That our victory's sure, our triumph is near ! 

Back to his element, 

Madly impenitent, ^ 
Proclaim to the world, the traitor must go ! 

Send forth the sound again. 

Raise high your voices then, 
*' For Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroe !' 

Rouse from your lethargy, ye who have slum- 
ber'd; 
Brace on the armour once gallantly worn ! 
Tell that the hours of King Veto are number'd, 
Ere you strip him of honours so faithlessly 
borne ! 

All ye hill sides awake ; 
The charm let us break, 
And rise in our might for Freedom's last blow, 
Up from the valley all, 
Shout loud the battle call, 
" For Harry of Kentucky, ho! ieroe !" 

Honest and true is the Kentucky Farmer, 
Firmly he stood when the tempest raged high ; 

Tho' the Union shook, no peril could harm her, 
While he guarded her helm with unsleeping 
eye; 



THE CLA.Y MINSTREL. 191 

Unfurl the banner bright, 

Blaze high the beacon Hght, 
They'll shine on our path and dazzle the foe ; 

Down then with Tyranny, 

Strike then for Liberty, 
" And Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroe !" 

Rally men, rally, now your chains rend asunder j 

Let city and plain, the bench and the loom, 
The plough and the forge, awake their Whig 
thunder, 
And join the full chorus o'er treachery's doom! 
Rise with the morning sun. 
Strive till the field is won. 
Once more to beam 'neath prosperity's glow ; 
Fly high our eagle bird. 
As the loud cry is heard, 
" For Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroe." 



CLEAR THE WAY FOR HARRY CLAY. 

Tune — What has caused this great commotion. 

What has caused this agitation, 
Tation, tation, our foes betray. 

It is the ball a rolling on. 
To clear the way for Henry Clay, 
To clear the way for Henry Clay, 

For with him we can beat any man, man, 

Man, of the Van Buren clan. 

For with him we can beat any man. 



192 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Mechanics cry out for protection, 
'Taction, 'taction, and bless the day 

That set the ball a rolling on 
To clear the way for Henry Clay, 
To clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

The merchants say there'll be no money, 
Money, money, their debts to pay. 

Until the ball that's roUing on. 
Has clear' d the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

The farmers say there'll be no market. 
Market, market, for cattle or hay. 

Until the ball that's rolling on 
Has clear'd the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

From all professions comes the cry, 

Cry, cry, speed the day. 
When this good ball that's rolling on, 

Shall clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

The great, the small, the short, the tall, 
Tall, tall, shall heave away 

To keep this ball a rolling on, 
And clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 193 

Let honest locos stand from under, 

Under, under, without delay. 
Join in whh us to roll the ball, 

That clears the way for Henry Clay, 
For v>ith him, &c. 

We see the ladies on us smiling, 
Smiling, smiling, in their sweet way, 

One word from them would be enough 
For Van or Clay to clear the way — 
We know they'll give that word for Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

We've spread our banner to the breeze, 
Breeze, breeze, and it shall stay 

Until the ball that's rolling on. 
Has clear'd the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 

Come all true-hearted patriots rally, 
Rally, rally, your strength display, ~ 

Doubt not the ball that's rolling now 
Shall clear the way for Henry Clay, 
Shall clear the way for Henry Clay, 
For with him, &c. 



17 



194 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

THE SAME BRAVE OLD COON. 

Tune — The American Star. 

Wake ! Whigs, from your slumbers, oppres- 
sion's cloud gathers, 
And treachery darkens the hue of the sky, 
Rise up with the spirit which nerved your brave 
fathers, 
Which thrill' d in each breast, and which 
flash' d from each eye. 
Bring the hearts that will meet the stern onset 
undaunted. 
Bring the freemen who crave but the contest 
as boon ; 
Bring the spirit which wide o'er your banners 
once flaunted, 
Bring the spirit of Forty, the same brave old 
coon. 

Though the being raised up in the strength of 
your power, 
Now scorns the proud spirits who placed him 
on high, 
In his palace he sits, but the thing of an hour, 
And trembles e'en now, as your curses 
sweep by. 
Speak out the bold tones of your manly defiance, 
Let treachery know 'twill be punish' d full 
soon ; 
In the truth of our freemen we still have reliance, 
We'll conquer again with the same brave old 
coon. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 195 

See ! our eagle again rises up in his gladness 

Again the sun gilds his magnificent form, 
Up, Whigs, from your apathy ; throw off your 
sadness, 
Prepare for the battle with energies warm ; 
We've a cause true and noble which needs our 
assistance. 
We've a man pure and bright as the heavens 
at noon. 
With them foes and traitors shall meet our re- 
sistance, 
And quail once again at the same brave old 
coon. 

One blow for your country, its laws and its ho- 
nour, 
One blow for prosperity blighted and fled. 
One blow at the miscreant preying upon her, 
For the charter of liberty broken and dead. 
From the West, the loud voices of freemen are 
swelling. 
Raise ! raise the glad shout in harmonious 
tune. 
For our hope once again the loud chorus is telling 
r the " Farmer of Ashland," the same brave 
old coon. T. w. 



196 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

WHIG SONG/ 

Tune — Boy's Wife of Aldivalhch. 

Harry Clay of old Kentucky, 
Harry Clay of old Kentucky, 
There's ne'er a man in all the land 
Like Harry Clay of Old Kentucky. 
When foreign foes our rights denied, 

Whose voice aroused our martial thunder ? 
And when we'd lower'd old England's pride, 
Who still' d the storm that swept her under? 
'Twas Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 

When dread disunion rear'd its head. 
And civil broils our land distracted. 

At his approach the Hydra fled. 
Abstraction was itself abstracted, 
By Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 

Who all his fond desires represt 
To save his country from pollution ? 

When friends were doubting who could best 
Restore our bleeding constitution ? 
'Twas Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c 

The industrious workman's constant friend. 

He would exalt his low condition ; 
Protect his labour and defend 

Him 'gainst all foreign compeiitiou. 
Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 197 

True principles he will defend, 
Despite of all who dare oppose them, 

No cursed abstractions fill his head, 
No cobweb conscience, in his bosom, 
Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, &c. 

Though treason's blight pervades the land, 

And tyrant veto rules the hour, 
" He's but a snap, a flash in the pan, 
So pick your flints and try your power," 
For Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, 
Harry Clay of Old Kentucky, 
There's ne'er a man in all the land 
Can match our Clay of Old Kentucky. 



THE DEEDS OF CLAY. 
TuJiJE — The Bonny Boat. 

When in the South dread civil war 

Rose like a storm of night, 
And nuUifiers near and far. 

Braced for the field of fight ; 
Then sons of those illustrious sires. 

Who bled at Bunker Hill, 
Rush'd madly forth to light their fires, 

Their brothers' blood to spill. 

When from the vault of Vernon first, 

A cry was heard aloud. 
And words of " Peace" in thunder burst 

From fallen freemen's shroud. 

17* 



198 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

When swords leap'd to the hero's hand, 

And ghtter'd in our gaze, 
When terror reign'd throughout the land, 

As in young freedom's days. 

When Clay, the nation's Solon, stood 

Alone and undismay'd. 
To save the flow of freemen's blood, 

The flag of Peace display'd ; 
Loud and through the land afar, 

His bold voice hush'd the blast, 
Calhoun fell from the battle car, 

The storm of war was pass'd. 

Then Clay's bright eloquence still broke. 

Upon the nation's ear ; 
The Senate shouted as he spoke, 

While thousands rush'd to hear. 
They saw that hope again was nigh, 

And hail'd the happy day. 
The dangers in the Southern sky 

At Clay's voice roll'd away. 

The statesmen of the West arose. 

And with our hero's tongue, 
They hush'd the voice of freedom's foes, 

A rainbow round them hung. 
A thankful nation blest the deed. 

And flags of peace unfurl'd. 
And envious nations gave the meed 

Of an admiring world. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 199 

Her pen of gold, the hand of fame, 

From her high temple took — 
And wrote Clay's never-dying name 

In Time's eternal book. 
Like all the fathers of the state, 

He in that chair shall rest, ^^ 

To guide and make our nation great, 

And through all ages blest. 

No marble monument he needs 

To crumble and decay, 
The memory of his mighty deeds 

Can never pass away. 
Within the people's hearts enshrined 

He'll dearer grow each day. 
Free from distress each State shall bless 

The hallow' d name of Clay. 



OUR CANDIDATE. 
Tune — Hurrah ! hurrah ! 

For Henry Clay, our candidate. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
To place him in the Chair of State, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
" God's noblest work — an honest man," 
A nobler show us if you can ! 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 



200 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

We spread our banners to the sky. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
Our motto — "Clay and Liberty 1" 

Hurrah, hurrah, hur-rah ! 
At Vetoes we our " Veto" fling, 
A President we want — not King ! 

Hurrah, hurrah, (See. 

Of Demagogues we 've had enough, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
From Tyler down to Johnny Brough, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah J 
We 're sick of all their brawHng fuss^ 
An honest man 's the man for us ! 

Hurrah, hurrah, &-c. 

An honest man 's the man we want, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

We 're tired of Locofoco cant, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

We nail our colours to the mast, 

And shout — Our Country, first and last • 
Hurrah, hurrah, fcc. 

And when the vict'ry has been won— 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah 1 

(As 'twill be when the conflict s done,) 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

The fruits will not be thrown away, 

No traitor yet was Henry Clay I 
Hurrah, hurrah, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 201 

Now, boys, three cheers for lienry Clay, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
With him we 're sure to win the day, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 
Our President, if he 's ahve, 
He 's bound to be in Forty-five, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 



GET ALONG HARRY, YOU'RE 
BOUND TO GO IN. 

Tune — Gee up Dobbin. 

Throw doubts to the Locos — we 're confident,, 

'sure 
That Harry's the boy all our troubles to cure, 
If Matty, Calhoun, or Buchanan begin 
To strive for the vict'ry, brave Hal will go in. 
Get along Harry, get along Harry, 
Get along Harry, you're bound to go in. 

In the days of old Hick'ry, we all of us thought 
That he the best was who'd oft'nest fought; 
Though battles from English and Indians he 'd 

win, 
To fight with our Statesman he wouldn't begin. 

Get, &/C. 



202 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

He managed the people, he governed the 

Banks ; 
And played while in office all sorts of queer 

pranks ; 
He killed the old monster, and then with a grin 
He got many little ones of the same kin. 

Get, &c. 

He promised hard money and " easy to get," 
But it proved vice versa, as few will forget, 
The money was soft, ragged, flimsy and thin ; 
The Banks got it out, but would not get it in. 

Get, &c. 

Houses, lands, and expenses all were up so 

high. 
That it took all our money provisions to buy, 
And as it was plenty its value was low, 
For easy to come is more easy to go. 

Get, &c. 

To be sure the old Hero made Louis of France 
Pay all that he owed us or he 'd made him 

dance — 
He threatened Calhoun with a twist by the chin, 
For Nullification he thought a great sin. 

Get, &c. 

Whate'er he did right another might do ; 
And for all honest motives our thanks are still 
due— 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 203 

But to close the last act of the old Hero's plan, 
He said his successor should be httle Van. 

Get, &c. 

Little Van, while old Hick'ry stood at his back, 
Was elected our President quite in a crack •, 
But gad how he scampered when Tippecanoe ' 
Came at him again, with all the Whig crew I 

Get, &c. 

The people were happy with shouts of delight. 
At the dawn of the morning they chased the 

black night, 
And flouted the welkin with banners so gay, 
To the honours of Harrison, Tyler and Clay. 

Get, &.C. 

But see through the glories of that happy day, 
The horizon looks dim and the sunshme wears 

gray— 
'Tis dark, and a cloud has spread over the 

whole — 
Now hushed be the mirth, and now thoughtful 

each soul. Get, &-c. 

By the stillness of dread, by the gloom of that 

hour, 
We felt that around us misfortune did lower ; 
Too soon the sad truth we had cause to deplore, 
The people's best friend of the time was no 

more. Get, &c. 



204 THE CLAY MINSTREL- 

"Who then could their wishes, their feeling con- 
strue ? 

Who battle for freemen's dear rights and be 
true ? 

Alas ! we lament thee for thy martyr and chief, 

Thy fate shall be mourned with a nation's deep 
grief. Get, &c. 

But not without hope — for to Tyler we turn, 
While his lips with sweet promises throbbingly 

burn— 
Ah, shame on the traitor ! he fails to pursue 
The course of our Chieftain, old Tippecanoe. 

Get, &c. 

Let him sink to the dust — yet his name ne'er 

forgot, 
For no time from his mem'ry shall wipe the 

foul blot ; 
Then steady our purpose, for traitors ne'er 

stay, 
To the conflict again for the great Henry Clay. 

Get, &c. 

From the valley's fair bosom, the mountain's 

rough side, 
From the wilderness dense, and the prairie bo 

wide. 
We '11 rouse in our might, and no longer delay, 
We 'U shout for our country, our laws and our 

Clay. Get, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 205 

In vain shall opponents detract from his fame, 
And seek with their falsehood to tarnish his 

name ; 
As bright as the diamond it dwells in each 

breast, 
Its safety secured by its pure nature best. 

Get, &c. 

By the force of our voices — our own hallowed 

cause, 
By the love of our country, our kindred and 

laws, 
We're nerved for the battle, away with dismay, 
Huzza for the strife, and success to Hal Clay. 

Get, &,c. 

H. B. 



THE ORATOR'S COMING. 

Tune — The Campbells are Coming. 

The orator's coming, huzza, huzza! 
The orator's coming, huzza, huzza! 
The orator 's coming, our nation to save 
From the grasp of false Tyler, the despotic 

knave ; 
The bold demagogues that would ruin our state 
Must yield to our Solon, and Cicero great, 

1 ''; 



208 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

He has long lit our halls with his eloquence 

bright, 
'Tis he can bring day 'mid our nation's drear 
night. 
Our orator 's coming, huzza, huzza I 
Our orator 's coming, huzza, huzza! 
Our orator 's coming, our nation to save, 
And drive from her temple each false ruUng 
knave. 

Each vile speculator with foreigners joined, 
To take from our country the money she 's 

coined, 
His tariff shall rob them of their tyrannous hold. 
And our own manufactures he '11 nobly uphold. 
Our orator 's coming, &c. 

The false-hearted statesmen who change every 

hour. 
Moved only by avarice, plunder and power, 
His wisdom shall sweep the proud knaves from 

their throne, 
And each honest toiler shalLthen get "his own." 
Our orator's coming, &c. 

Then freemen arouse, and with united voice, 
Shout all through the land for the chief of our 

choice, 
And let not the cause of the people once rest. 
Till triumphant our orator comes from the west. 
Our orator 's coming, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 207 



COME VOTE FOR THE PATRIOT 
, CLAY. 

Tune — Rosin the Bow. 

Ye freemen throughout the whole nation, 

Attend to your duty, I pray, 
Come aid in your country's salvation, 

And vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 

Though we 've lost the brave Tippecanoe, 
So long our best anchor and- stay, 

Our efforts at length we '11 renew. 
And vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 

"We put into office John Tyler, 
In hopes that he faithful would stay. 

But since he 's joined hands with the spoiler, 
We'll vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 

The country is now in great trouble, 

And has been so many a day, 
And the mischief we fear will be double. 

Unless we 're delivered by Clay, &c. 

The workmen are starving around us. 
Can you tell me the reason, I pray ? 

Such misery ne'er would have found us. 
If we had for our President, Clay, &c. 



208 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

We used to have money a plenty, 
Our debts we were able to pay, 

But our pockets so long have been empty, 
We think we '11 make trial bf Clay, &,c. 

The folks long in power have spoken, 
And things will be better they say, 

Their promises all have been broken. 
So we '11 wait no longer, for Clay, &c. 

The nation 's a prey to the spoiler, 
On all sides 'tis filled with dismay. 

So we '11 quickly drop Captain Tyler, 
And stick to the patriot Clay, &c. 

Then gather ye friends of the nation, 

Attend to your duty, I pray, 
Come aid in your country's salvation, 

And vote for the patriot Clay, &c. 



HARRY CLAY. 

Tune — Harry Bluff. 

Harry Clay when a boy was without friends or 

home, 
Left a poor orphan lad on the cold earth to roam, 
But the lire of his genius flash'd early to y'lQVf, 
And he fill'd all with wonder the older he grew. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 209 

Tho' his mind it was young, he won sages' ap- 
plause, 

When our land was in danger, he roused hearts 
in her cause. 

Old statesmen all cried he'd one day lead the 
— Van, 

Tho' in years but a boy, heM the wisdom of 
man, 

And the soul of a pure Yankee Freeman. 

Ere to manhood advanced, he a statesman be- 
came, 
And toil'd for his dear country's freedom and 

fame, 
So true to his party — in council so brave, 
The tones of his voice hush'd each treacherous 

knave ; 
If our nation was wrong' d his heart leap'd at 

the sound. 
And the power of his mind awed the nations 

around ; 
Then honour brave Hal with our country's high 

sway, 
And he'll make foe and knave all our lost rights 

repay, 
With the soul of a pure Yankee Statesman. 

18* 



210 THE CLAY MINSTREL- 



WHAT SOUND IS THAT, THAT O'ER 
THE HILLS. 

Tune — O^er the Hills and far away. 

What sound is that that o'er the hills 

Is borne upon the sweeping gale ? 
On ev'ry breeze the thunder swells, 

From mountain top and blooming vale^ 
They are a nation's shouts that rise. 

And cry aloud with eager zest, 
While every rock and hill replies. 

And echoes Harky of the West. 

Then swell the shouts, and let it rise 

From every happy freeman's voice, 
Until its thunders reach the skies. 

And Freedom's mighty self rejoice. 
Around the brow of Harry Clay, 

Shall twine a never-fading wreath, 
A chap let of the brightest bay. 

That Fame can to her sons bequeath. 

J. D. Vt\ 

APPEAL TO FREEMEN. 

Tune — Bruce' s Address. 

Freemen whom your states adore, 
And your blood-bought rights of yore? 
Pwally now and you'll restore 
Your past prosperity. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 211 

Delay noi, boys, another hour, 
Up each state and town to scour, 
Show the glorious might and power, 
Of men that will be free. 

Up bold Whigs with speech and song, 
Name your rights — redress your wrong, 
Shout the huzza, loud and long 

For Clay and liberty. 
By his noble heart and voice. 
He is now the people's choice. 
He will make the land rejoice. 

And burst Ty's ty-ranny, 

Workies who so long have borne 
Tyler's falsehood, schemes and scorn, 
No more in quiet meet and mourn. 

Rouse in your majesty. 
Remember ye opprest and low, 
" Who would be free must strike the blow, 
f)n then to the struggle go, 

Nor cease till you are free. 

Sons of "seventy-six's" souls. 

Through whose veins their true blood rolls, 

Shall it be said a king controls 

Your nation's destiny ? 
Shall a chief that high seat fill, 
Who defies the people's will, 
And would plunge us deeper still, 

In ruia and misery ? 



212 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Shall a despot's word command, 
The "bone and sinew of the land,' 
Snatching from the toil-sore hand 

The rights of industry ? 
Rouse then, brothers, now's the day, 
To the ballot-box for Clay, 
Sweep the bugs that on us prey, 

In hum-6w^'s livery. 

Vain is all the Captain's post, 
Corporal guard, and loco host, 
With noble Clay, the nation's boast, 

We'll make 'em turn and flee. 
Try the "Distribution's" power. 
And the noble White House scour, 
Millions then shall bless the hour 

When Clay our chief shall be. 
Vain are the props on which they rest, 
Calhoun and Van can't stand the test, 
Against bold Harry of the West, 

The honest, wise and free. 



THE CLAY GATHERING. 

Tune — The Macgregor's Gathering. 

The land-shout rings loud for our bold Hero 

Clay, 
A nd his name and the true cause grow brighter 

each day, 
Our signal to go for our Tariff and laws 
Must be heard in our shout for bold Harry, 

huzza ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 213 

Then huzza! huzza! huzza! for Harry, boys, 
The treasury's sapp'd by political beagles, 
We'll muzzle the hounds and restore our lost 
eagles. 

Then gather, gather, gather, 
Gather, gather, gather, gather. 

While we've patriots like Clay, our dear land 

to deliver, 
Her freedom and glory shall flourish for ever. 
Our fair land is plunder'd, 
By demagogue powers. 
Its trade and its treasures 

No longer are ours ; 
We are tradeless and fundless, 
Fundless freemen all. 
Fundless, &c. 

Through our towns, plains and mountains, our 
banners we'll rear. 

For reform and a Tariff, still louder we'll cheer, 

And our cliffs and green mountains shall moul- 
der away. 

Ere we yield up our cause or our patriot Clay. 
Then huzza ! huzza ! huzza ! for bold Harry, 
boys, 

Though our nation is plunder'd by Ty and his 
beagles. 

We will muzzle his hounds and restore our lost 
eagles. 



214 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Then gather, gather, gather, &c. 
While we've sages like Clay, our dear land to 

deliver, 
Her freedom and glory shall flourish for ever. 
And thus, &.c. 



THE CHIEF OF THE WEST. 

Tune — Spring time of year is coining. 

The chief of the west is coming, coming, 
Whigs all must muster, night and day, 
Throughout the land they're humming, hum- 
ming, 
And all their cry is Clay, boj^s. 
And all their cry is Clay, boys. 
Great freedom's bird soars lighter, 
Each patriot's hope is brighter, 
And freemen as they meet, now. 
All shout through hall and street, now — 

The chief of the west is coming, &c. 

.Each patriot's heart is swelling, swelling, 

With hope of Clay and prosperous days, 
Large meetings now are telling, telling 
That all will go for Clay, boys ; 
Clay'U make the Corporal guard retreat, 
With all who mock the people's will, 
And while he fills the lofty seat, 

The land with wealth and peace he'll fill, 
The chief of the west is coming, &c. 

s. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. ^15 

THE STAR OF THE WEST. 

Tune — Meeting ef the Waters, 

There's not in the union, the' we search it thro' 
A chief Uke old Hal of Kentucky, so true ; 
And the on<3 to restore our dear land so opprest, 
Is the bold Harry Clay, tlie bright sto.r of the 
West. 

Long, long has he toil'd in our Senate's great 

hall 
To give equal rights, equal blessings to all, 
Corruption's, sly serpents he braved in their nest, 
Unbcught and undaunted — the star of the West, 

While the proud " Veto" monarch was toiling 

each hour 
To step o'er our necks as he stept into power, 
The first heart tliat strove his foul sway to resist, 
Was bold Harry Clay, the bright star of the 

West. 

Then Democrat Whigs, to the rescue come all. 
Ere the Tyler-rack'd Temple of Freedom shfill 

fall. 
With Clay we'll eement it, and illumine it3 

crest 
With the land-cheering light of tlie star of the 

West. 



21 G ' THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

TRUE HARRY OF KENTUCKY, O. 
TuwE — Green grmo the Rushes, 0. 

There'"s naught but care throughout the land, 

The nation can't be lucky, i 
Until her men go heart and hand 

For Harry of Kentucky, O ! 
Huzza for old Kentucky, O ! 

True Harry of Kentucky, O ! 
Prosperity again we'll know 

Through Harry of Kentucky, O. 

The opposition know him good. 

Though contrary they say, my boys, 
Their tory chiefs are only mud, 

Compared with our true Clay, my boys. 
Huzza for old Kentucky, O ! 

True Harry of Kentucky, O ! 
Their candidates will be no go 

'Gain&t Harry of Kentucky, O. 

Sly Benton, he is Bent-on spoils. 

And swears the Tariff shall not go ; 
But Whigs will give him for his toils, 

Clay halls for his rag mint-drops, O ! 
Huzza for old Kentucky, ! 

True Harry of Kentucky, ! 
The bright mint -hail again shall flow 

Through Harry of Kentucky, O ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 217 

His tariff then our rights shall guard, 

From foreign speculators free, 
And keep our money to reward 

Our native toilers' industry. 
Then shout for old Kentucky, O ! 

And vote for old Kentucky, O ! 
The good old times again will grow, 

From pure Clay of Kentucky, O ! 



From the Coons of Rhode Island to the Clay 
Whi&s of the Union — Greeting. 

Tune — Ole Dan Tucker. 

As I've got time I'll tell you all 
The States that vote for Clay next fall, 
'Tis easy told, and thus 'tis done — 
They all will vote for Clay but one. 

Chorus. 

Then Tyler clear, get out the way, 
Make room now for Harry Clay ; 
Get out the way you John Tyler, 
You 've collapsed and burst your biler I 

Old Tennessee began the dance, 
And woke Van Buren from his trance ; 
'T is hard to beat the " Farmer Jones" 
As 't was for Dorr to leave " them bones.'* 
19 



218 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Chorus. 

Next coni« the news from Maryland — 
'T is mighty bad for me, says Van ; 
For " Tyler too" it is a roarer, 
As well as Bob, who wrote Medora. 

Chorus. 

Georgia, too, right well she 's done 
For old Kentucky's gallant son ; 
She wants a tariff, " fair to good," 
To give her " Crackers" meat and food. 

Chorus. 

]\Iore news has come from the Jarsey shore, 
It makes old Tyler grin once more ; 
And the locos rant and the locos roar — 
We '11 beat them bad in forty-four. 

Chorus. 

We 've heard the news from the Quaker State, 
It shows Van Buren his true fate ; 
It tells John Tyler he must clear ; 
We '11 beat them bad the coming year. 

Chorus. 

We 've heard more news from Ohio — 
For Clay 't is good, for Tyler no ! 
That hall is surely rolling on, 
hn^ makes more verses for this song. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 219 

Chorus. 
Van Winkle's State has spoken loud, 
And adds to Harry's swelling crowd ; 
She 's bid farewell to Tyler John, 
And now she goes Kentucky's son. 

Chorus. 

Now, Bay State Boys, wheel into place, 
And meet your foe, now, face to face. 
And drive them all from bed and pallet, 
With Morton, Wright, and Green and Hallett. 

Chorus. 

And what do you think New York will do ? ^ 
She '11 drive from her this loco crew; 
In all good time she '11 come along, 
And go for Clay, ten thousand strong. 

Chorus. 

Virginia, too, will do her best. 

To put this winded nag at rest ; 

Of good Whig votes she has got lots— 

" Long time ago" she had the Botts. 

Chorus. 

Rhode Island 's sure for Henry Clay, 
As sure as cometh November's day. 
She's "up and dress'd," and won't give way 
Until she 's voted strong for Clay. 



220 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Chorus. 

To all good Whigs conjoined, I say, 
Be "up and dress'd," and vote for Clay; 
Remove afar this " crying sin," 
" Pick your flints and try agin." 



THE PEOPLE'S RALLY. 

Come, come to the meeting, 

Come one, and come all, 
For true hearts are beating. 

Responsive the call ; 
From highland and valley, 

From mountain and plain, 
Come, come to the rally, 

Our rights to regain. 

Indignantly spurning 

The yoke of the slave. 
With liberty burning. 

We cringe not, nor crave ; 
Our banner is flouting 

Its red wings on high. 
And freemen are shouting 

To do or to die. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 221 

Let triflers preach Union 

For office and spoils ; 
We shun a communion 

Environed with toils; 
Away with caresses, 

Contrived to betray, 
The tunic of Nessus 

Were better than they. 

Our country for ever, 

From Sabine to Maine ; 
No true Whigs will sever 

One hnk in the chain, — 
No pretences hollow. 

No mixing of taeeds — 
Our flag we will follow 

Wherever it leads. 

Then come to the meeting, 

Come one and come all, 
For true hearts are beating. 

To answer the call ; 
From highland and valley, 

From mountain and plain, 
Come, come to the rally, 

Our rights to regain. 



19 



222 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



KNOW YE THE LAND? 

Tune — Know ye the land where the cypress and 
myrtle ? 

Know ye the land where defaulting and thieving 
By Swartwouts in office are done every day ; 

Where party men vie in the art of deceiving, 
And then cap the cUmax by running away ? 

Know ye the land of the vault and the key, 
Where the vault is unclosed, and money left 

free 
To be pilfered and spent through the vigilant 

care 
Of collectors and agents whom party put there ? 

Where reform is a by-word, retrenchment a 

dream, 
Corruption the practice, and plunder the 

scheme ; 
Where a kitchen cabal, or a caucus in drill 
Dares proclaim its own voice as a free people's 

will? 

Know ye the land where Sub- Treasurers riot, 
Like an army of rats when the cat is away, 

Where the cash of the people is stolen in quiet, 
And nothing is left but to whistle for pay ? 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 223 

'Tis the land of our fathers, 'tis America's soil, 
Where Hberty's price was blood, treasures and 

toil : 
'Tis the land that was freed and by Washington 

won, 
Where deeds so disgraceful are openly done. 

Let a people oppressed arise in their might, 
Avenge their own wrongs, and contend for the 

right ; 
Dispel the deep gloom overspreading the land, 
With boldness of heart and with vigour of hand! 



COME TO THE CONTEST. 

Tune — The old oaken Bucket. 

Come on to the contest, the call is loud rinffiner: 
Each son of the Key Stone, the call is to you ; 
The foe all his forces to action is bringing, 

The battle-field soon will arise to your view. 
Then say, "are you ready," and wait to re- 
ceive it, 
The shock which the freeman must shortly 
repel ; 
Right onward ! your aid ! every true son will 
give it, 
And vote for the Farmer that 's worked the 
farm well ! 



224 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The hard-fisted Farmer, 
The honest old Farmer ! 
We ffo for the Farmer that's worked the farm 
wells 



We want no new workmen, no experimenting 
On the blood-hallowed spot where our fore- 
fathers fought ; 
We'll keep the old path, and there'll be no 
repenting, 
And we '11 ever remember good lessons when 
taught. 
Then away in your pride, for the Farmer pre- 
siding, 
Let the note of approval in loud concert swell. 
And his foes may in vain still persist in deriding, 
We '11 vote for the Farmer that 's worked 
the farm well ! 

The hard-fisted Farmer, 
The honest old Farmer ! 
We go for the Farmer .that's worked the 
farm well ! 

The Van Buren Locos in vain with their legions 
Would vanquish the free in the land of their 
birth. 
And they '11 hear in loud thunder that these are 
the regions 
Where no tribute is paid save the tribute to 
worth 1 



THE CLA-Y MINSTREL. 225 

That tribute is due, and we 're going to pay it, 
And soon shall they hear the glad triumph- 
tone swell ! 
Than the year forty-four, we'll no longer 

delay it, , , , 

But vote for the Farmer that 's worked the 

farm well ! 

The hard-fisted Farmer, 
The honest old Farmer ! 
We'll support Clay, the Farmer, who worked 
the farm well ! 



The foUowi«g song wis written by aa OLD DEMOCRAT of 
1798, an original Jackson man. but not an admirer of such modem or 
^^ patent dtmocracy^' as is professed by " Not-a-single-drop-of-demo- 
cratic-blood" Buchanan, or " As-long-as-the-federal-flag-waved-m-New- 
Jersey-I-was-proud-to-rally-under-it» Garret D. Wall. 

THE ARISTOCRACY OF DEMOCRACY. 

Tune — " John Anderson, my Jo." 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

Buchanan, Wall, and Co. 
Ye black-cockaded Federalists, 

You 're Democrats — Oho ! 
The loco-foco Democrats, 

Of which you take the lead, 
Are spawn' d from every faction '. 

Van Buren's bastard breed I 
p 



226 THE CLAY MINSTREL 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

Within whose veins don't flow 
A drop of Democratic blood ! 

Buchanan's boast you know ; 
You '11 say it was before he went 

To Russia's autocrat ', 
And pocketed some thousands ; — 

A full-blood Democrat ! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

Who lead corruption's crew; 
Who, with a single eye direct, 

Keep office aye in view ; 
The dear \ dear people ! you'd persuade, 

Alas ! poor simple elves, 
Their cash you'd watch with vigilance ; 

Then — pocket it yourselves ! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats I 

Encased in triple brass, 
' While plundering of the people's purse, 

For patriots you would pass f 
A cut-purse oft-times has been known. 

When running from the crowd. 
To bawl stop thief, stop thief, stop thief J 

The loudest of the loud ! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

Like hags of dark midnight, 
A pall of blackness you have spread 

O'er prospects once so bright ; 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 227 

Industry you have paralysed ; 

Destruction stalks around; 
And all our country's happiness 

You 've levelled with the ground. 

Ye aristocratic Democrats I 

Ye sordid demagogues ; 
All round the horizon you have spread 

Delusion's noisome fogs ; 
The ten years' ruthless war you 've waged 

Against our country's weal, 
Our children's children, much I fear, 

Are doomed for years to feel ! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

Sub -treasurers you would be, 
As Democrats, par excellence, 

None are more fit than ye ; 
To keep the people's cash, I ween. 

None will your Price dispute ; 
Who'd grudge di price for honesty,. 

Would priceless make Swartwout! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

Ye hollow-hearted clique, 
Who for the sake of power and pelf 

Will at no vileness stick ; 
Who Proteus-hke will change your garb, 

Your baseness to disguise, 
To cheat the people of their wealth, 

Their rights and liberties 1 



228 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

The "sober second thought" 
Of an awakened people 

Will spurn you into nought ! 
The masks torn from your faces, 

And from your places hurled, 
You '11 stand the scorn of all mankind, 

A proverb through the world ! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats I 

The hateful theme I '11 quit, 
Convinced the people will ere long 

Unmask each hypocrite ! 
And to the view of honest men. 

Your ingrain baseness show, 
Ye tiger-hearted demagogues, 

Van Buren, Wright, and Co. ! 

Ye aristocratic Democrats ! 

One word, and I have done ; 
I '11 leave you in the people's hands, 

By Harry Clay led on, 
Who hke a torrent from the hills, 

Will sweep you all away ; 
Your names, a by -word through the land. 

Forever and for aye ! p. p. , 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 229 

JOHN C. CALHOUN MY JO. 

Tune—" John Anderson, my Jo.^^ 

John C. Calhoun my Jo John, I 'm sorry for 
your fate, 

You 've nullified the tariff laws, you 've nulU- 
fied your state ; 

You 've nullified your party, John, and princi- 
ples, you know, 

And now you 've nullified yourself, John C. 
Calhoun my Jo. 

Oh I John, how could you look into the face of 

Henry Clay ? 
The glory of the Western World and of the 

world away ; 
You call yourself his " master," John, but that 

can ne'er be so, 
For he " would not own you for a slave," John 

C. Calhoun my Jo. 

The Father of the Tariff, John, and Patron of 
the Arts, 

He seeks to build his country up m spite of 
foreign parts ; 

And Harry Clay will soon upset the little Van 
&Co., 

And renovate the Ship of State, John C. Cal- 
houn my Jo, 
20 



230 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

John C. Calhoun my Jo John, ambition in 

despair, 
Once made you nullify the whole, the lialf of it 

to share ; 
The " whole hog now you 've gone,' John, 

with Kendall, Blair & Co., 
But " you've got the wrong sow by the ear," 

John C. Calhoun my Jo. 

American mechanics, John, will never sell their 

votes, 
For Mint Drops or for Treasury Bills, or even 

British coats; 
They want no English coaches, John, white 

servants they forego. 
For their carriage is of Yankee stamp, John 

C. Calhoun my Jo. 

Oh ! John, he is a slippery blade with whom 

you 've got to deal, 
He '11 pass between your clutches too, just like 

a Uving eel ; 
You think he '11 recommend you, John, but Van 

will ne'er do so, 
For he wants the fishes for himself, John C. 

Calhoun my Jo. 

John C. Calhoun my Jo, John, if this you dare 

to doubt, 
Go ask the Living Skeleton, who deals his 

secrets out, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 231 

His favourites are marked, John, the mark yoa 

cannot toe, 
And you '11 soon repent the bargain made, John 

C. Calhoun my Jo. 

This is a dirty business, John, go wash your 

little hands, 
And never bow your knee again to cuniiirig 

Van's commands; 
" How you are off for soap," John, I cannot eay 

I know, 
But " yovar mother does not know you 're out," 

John C. Calhoun my Jo. 

The brave sons of the South, John, will never 

own you more, 
And Benton's Mint Drops will not save— 

you 're rotten to the core ; 
The peopk will no power, John, on such as 

you bestow, 
And you 've jumped your final somerset, Jckn 

C. Calhoun my Jo. 

John C. Calhoun my Jo John, you '11 ride with 
little Van, 

From yonder Whited Sepulchre, with all jts 
motley clan ; 

The journey will be long, John, now mind I 
tell you so, 

For they never can return again, John C, Cal- 
houn my Jo, 



232 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Then better men, my Jo John, our sad affairs 
will fix, 

Republicans in principle, the Whigs of seventy- 
six; 

The offices they '11 purge, John, Swartwouters 
all will go. 

And sycophantic fellows too, John C. Calhoun 
my Jo, 

The farmer of the West, John, will plough the 

weeds away, 
And the noble friend of Harrison will gain 

another day ; 
America will flourish, John, mechanics find 

employ, 
And our merchants will rejoice indeed, Johr 

C. Calhoun my Jo. 

John C. Calhoun ray Jo John, when one term 
shall expire. 

He'll drop the reins of power, and with dig- 
nity retire, 

To look upon a smiling land, that he has ren- 
dered so. 

And every Whig will cry Amen ! John 0. 
Calhoun my Jo. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



233 



THE PEOPLE'S RALLY. 
Tune— TAe Campbells are Coming. 

Come up to the polls ! there is work to be 

done; 
Come up m your strength, and the battle is 

won. 
With our Clay for a leader, then enter the fight ; 
The people are rising, resistless in might ; 
Then hurrah, boys ! hurrah, boys ! the truth 

will prevail ; 
The custom-house slaves are beginning to quail ; 
The elections have told them their race is near 

run: 
Hurrah, boys I hurrah, boys ! the battle is won ! 

Down, down with the rulers who've rui?ied the 

land, 

Who have crushed all our hopes with a merci- 
less hand ; 

The men who would make our loved country 
the same 

As serf-peopled Russia, or tyrannized Spain, 

Who would rule our loved land with imperial 

sway, 
And give for our labour but sixpence per day, — 
Van Buren, Buchanan, and Benton, the 

knaves — 
Such are but fit to be rulers of slaves. 
20 * 



"234 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Arouse, then, ye freemen, at Liberty's call! 
Aroiwe, in your glory, and out with them all ! 
Already they falter, already they reel ; 
The signs of defeat they 're beginning to feel ; 
One blow from your hands lays them low in 

the dust, 
Arise in your ardour, and conquer you must ; 
Then be true to your country, to principle true, 
And bold Harry Clay will be faithful to you ! 



LOST HOPES. 
Tune— T^e last rose of summer. 

"Tis the last Locofoco 

Left weeping alone ; 
All his loafer companions 

Are vanished and gone. 

No old friend is near him, 

No Conservative nigh, 
To muse on his sorrows, 

Or give sigh for sigh. 

We must leave thee, thou lone onCr 

In Tammany Hall, 
Till Moore and Cambreling 

The people recall. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 235 

Soon Tyler will follow 

His friendship's decay ; ' 
From the White House departing, 

His hopes pass away. 

Since the party is withered, 

Its leaders all gone, 
Oh, who would inhabit 

Saint Tammany alone ? 



COME, CHEER UP, YE WHIGS. 

Air—" The star-spangled banner.''^ 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs ! for your cause it 
is glorious, 

Like your sires be united and like them be vic- 
torious, 

For freedom and honour was the meed of their 
toils, 

For independance they fought, and not hke 
pirates for spoils. 
/ 

Com'c, cheer up, ye Whigs ! for your cause is 
divine, 

In " Union for the sake of the Union" combine, 

To expel from all power each fell demagogue, 

Who'd expunge from our morals the whole 
Decalogue. 



236 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs I resolved heart and 

hand 
To rescue your country from corruption's foul 

band ; 
On the altar of Union light up Freedom's fires, 
And rush to the rescue, as of old did your sires. 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs! "you are right. 

go ahead," 
Your candidate has filled the Sub-Treasurers 

with dread, 
For he's honest, he's capable, he's fearless 

and just, 
And with honour untarnished has filled every 

trust. 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs! for most holy's 

your cause. 
You strike for your country, constitution, and 

laws, 
Raise the banner of union with Harry Clay on, 
Whose pole star's his country, his guide 

Washington. 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs ! see your own 

Henry Clay, 
On the ramparts resisting the demagogues' 

sway ; 
No selfishness rankles in the patriot's pure 

breast, 
And purer don't live than our Hal of the West ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 237 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs ! lo, the man of 

the North, 
With the constitution displayed, in his might 

standing forth. 
To rescue the country from the gripe of the 

knaves, 
Who 'd the constitution destroy and of freemen 

make slaves! 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs ! hurrah ! go ahead ! 
Your candidate has filled all the plunderers 

with dread ; 
Raise the star-spangled banner of the Union on 

high. 
And contempt be his lot who the battle would 

fly. 

Now, onward, ye Whigs ! for your cause it is 

glorious, 
United, you must, and you will be victorious ! 
On, on ! with the friend of your own Harrison, 
For great are the laurels he nobly has won ! 

p. p. 



238 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

THE WHIG GATHERING. 
Tune — Pibroch of Do7inel Dku. 

Voice of the nation bold ! 

Voice of the nation ! 
Wake thy free tones of old, 

In loud invocation. 
Come away, come away ! 

Merchant and yeoman, 
Strengthen the Whig array 

Strong 'gainst the foeman. 

Come from forest of Maine, 

Through the mist and the shower. 
Come o'er prairie and plain, 

From the south sunny bower. 
Come from high northern hill, 

And from green western hollow, 
With stout heart and good will 

Come, follow ! come, follow. 

Leave the store, leave the shore. 

Leave the crop and the cattle. 
Ten thousand strong and more, 

Troop to the battle. 
Come every blue jacket. 

And true heart that wears one, 
Come each country crab-stick, 

And brave hand that bears one> 



THE CLA-Y MINSTREL. 231# 

Onward fall, one and all, 

On to your station. 
Hear ye the people call — 

"Rescue the nation!" 
Faster come, every man. 

Faster and faster, 
Show quick the Tory clan 

Who'll be their master. 

Fast they come, fast they come: 

See them all ready ! 
Strike up the people's drum, 

Stand firm and steady. 
Wave the Whig standard high. 

All bright in its glories — 
Then for the nation's cry, — 

" Down with the Tories '." 



THE CLAY GATHERING. 

Tune — McGregor's Gathering. 

The land is awaking, and free to the blast, 
The standard of Freedom is fearlessly cast, * 
For the rights that we all from our forefathers 

drew 
We fight, and our leader is Harry the true t 
Then halloo ! halloo ! halloo ! to the coa- 

test 1 — 



240 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The spirit that kindled our fathers of yore 

Is throwing its hght o'er the country once more. 
Then gather ! gather ! gather ! gather ! ga- 
ther ! gather ! — 

While a mountain shall stand, or while sparkles 
a river, 

The cause of the people shall flourish for ever. 

The land is awaking, and vanishing night 
Flies away from the east at the dawning of 

hght, 
The beams of Connecticut gladden the eye, 
The star of Rhode Island is bright in the sky. 
Then halloo! halloo! halloo! to the con- 
test !— 
The people are rising, resistless in strength, 
And the cause of the people will triumph at 
length. 
Then gather ! gather ! gather ! gather ! ga- 
ther ! gather ! — 
While a mountain &c. 

Virginia rises at Liberty's call — 

One blow from her arm, and the Despot must 

fall. 
Iier son is our leader. She falters not now, 
And the chaplet of Victory circles her brow. 
Then halloo ! halloo ! halloo ! to the con- 
test 1— 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 241 

From the shades of Mount Vernon the people's 
loud voice 

Calls every true man of the land to rejoice. 
Then gather ! gather ! gather ! gather ! ga- 
ther ! gather ! — 

While Virginia has ehher a mountain or river, 

The cause of our country shall flourish for ever. 

The land is awaking — our rulers, in fear, 

See plainly their time of departure is near ; 

There is grief in the White House, and many 
an eye 

Is watching in tears the political sky. 
Then halloo ! halloo to the contest ! — 

And many a pampered political beagle 

Crouches down at the sight of the Kentucky 
eagle. 
Then gather ! gather ! gather ! gather ! ga- 
ther ! gather ! — 

While a mountain shall stand, or while sparkles 
a river. 

That eagle, despite them, shall flourish for ever. 



21 



242 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

THE GATHERING SONG. 

A PARODY. 

They 're rousing, they 're rousing, in valley and 
glen, 

The noble in soul, and the fearless in heart ; 
At Freedom's stern call, to the contest again 

They rush with a zeal she alone can impart. 

From wild Madawaska's dark forest of pine, 
To the fair fertile glades where the calm Wa- 
bash flows, 
True sons of their fathers ! the people combine 
To shake off the chains of their treacherous 
foes. 

They're gathering, they're gathering on hill- 
side and plain, 
They swarm every vale and o'ershadow each 
river ; 
Each hamlet and dale is made vocal again 
With the soul-thriUing cry, "Our coimtry 
forever !" 

The flag of the fre6 to the breeze is unfurled, 
Around it they rally to guard its fair fame ; 

And well may the foes of corruption be bold. 
In the glory and strength of great Harry 
Clay's name. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 243 

Where the noble Ohio in wild beauty sweeps — 
Where the swift Susquehanna bears onward 

its waves— 
And e'en where the Hudson in calm grandeur 

sleeps — 
There are thousands who ne'er will be traitors 

or slaves. 

Arouse then, true hearts, to the battle once 

more ! 

And the Locos shall quail at the gallant array! 

Despair fades behind us — Hope's morn dawns 

before ! 

It will brighten full soon to a shadowless day! 



THE POPULAR AVALANCHE. 

Tune — Little wat ye who's a coming. 

Little wat ye wha's a coming, 
Little wat ye wha's a coming, 
Little wat ye wha's a coming. 
North, South, East, and West are coming '. 

Vermont's coming, the Bay State's coming, 
Rhode Island — yes, and Maine is coming, 
Connecticut is surely coming, 
The Empire State and a' are coming ! 

Little wat ye, &c. 



244 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The Key- Stone State is bravely coming, 
The Marylanders all are coming, 
The boys of Delaware are coming. 
And never- tired Virginia's coming ! 

Little wat ye, &c. 

Old Rip's awake, and he is poming, 
Georgia for her right is coming. 
The Alabamians fast are coming, 
And Louisiana a' is coming ! 

Mississippi, too, is coming, 
Tennessee and Jones are coming, 
Kentucky all en masse is coming, 
Ohio ! every man is coming ! 

Little .wat ye, &,c, 

Illinois is quickly coming, 
Indiana, too, is coming, 
Michigan, redeemed, is coming. 
In troth, the braw lads a' are coming I 

Little wat ye, &c. 



THE AMERICAN FLAG AND CLAY. 
Tune — Sjparhling and bright. 

See in the light of glory bright, 
Each star and stripe proudly beaming 

Our flag once more unfurled to the war. 
To the breeze of reform now streaming. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 245 

Your goblets fill, with a free good will, 

To the Chief renowned in story, 
Pledge your faith to him on the beaker's brim, 

To speed him onward to glory. 

Oh ! that he might arrest the blight 

Destroying our dominions, 
Yet first awhile he must beguile 

The spoiler of his minions. 

Your goblets fill, &c. 

Our Chieftain bright will stop the wight, 
And all his friends shall leave him, 

And every one, for Harry Clay, 
With loud huzzas shall grieve him. 

Your goblets fill, &c. 

When high in state, we'll place elate, » 

By his side our flag unwaved ; 
Loud be our cheers, when the hero for years 

Plants that flag o'er a union saved. 

Your goblets fill, &,c. 



WE PLEDGE THEE. 

All hail ! to the Whigs, who have nobly come 
forth, — 
CoNNEcxicuT, honour to thee ; 
Thou hast shown to the world, that the men of 
the North 
Have willed, and they dare to he free! 
21* 



246 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Rhode Island, triumphant, has echoed thy 
voice. 

Every patriot Wlaig will combine 
To accomphsh a victory,— virtue o'er vice,— 

Decisive and glorious as tliine. 

Come Whigs, to the polls, let each name be 
enrolled, 

Our weapon the popular will ; 
The foeman does battle with " Treasury gold. 

And vaunteth its potency still. 

But arouse ye ! who still boast of patriot blood, 

And would yet have your children be free. 

Stem the tide of corruption, whose poisonous 

flood 
Hath deluged our land like a sea. 

Now up with your banner ! the battle 's begun. 
And nerve every arm for the fight ; 

With Clay for our leader the vict'ry is won, 
Our motto, " our country, our right.'' 

Ye minions of power ! your eftorts are vain : 
And Locos ! your cause is unjust ; 

Our country, we pledge thee again and again, 
Thy sons will prove true to theu- trust. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 247 



THE PEOPLE ARE COMING. 

Air — " The star-spangled banner." 

The people are coming — the Locos are down, 
Let a loud shout of triumph be heard in our 

town ; 
Tom Benton is beaten and Amos is loo'd, 
The " pip" and " bhnd staggers" have reached 

the whole brood ; 
Huzza, then, huzza ! 'mid the cannon's loud 

roar, 
Let's resolve to be ruled by Van Buren no 

more. 

'T\\e people are coming— oh, Matty, beware, 
The people are coming— oh, Tyler, take care ! 
Tom Benton, Buchanan, and Silas Wright, too. 
The people are coming to take care of you : 
Huzza, then, huzza ! from the lakes to sea 

shore, 
Let 's resolve to be ruled by the Locos no more. 



Our Harry is coming your whole crew to rout. 
The people have called him to help turn you out, 
He 's one of the people — he 's honest and true, 
Whig, Loco, or Neutral can't say that of you. 
Huzza, then, huzza ! — to the rescue once more, 
Such scampering of Locos was ne'er seen 
before. 



248 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Old Harry is coming to take the command 
Of the ship Constitution, and bring her to land ; 
The whole Kitchen Cabinet will be set ashore, 
And Matty and Tyler be heard of no more. 
Huzza, theij, huzza ! once more let us cheer ; 
With such a commander we 've nothing to fear 



COME TO THE RESCUE. 

Tune — " Marseilles Hymn.''^ 

Rise, rise ! ye freemen, once 'twas glory 

For man to oppose a tyrant's power ; 
And who resisted lived in story : 

Oh, seize, then seize, the present hour! 
Say, shall we slumber, while around us 
Oppression's galling chains are cast? 
Say, will they lighter hang at last, 
To call them gold when they have bound us ? 
No, no, no, no ! then rise 

For our forefathers' laws ; 
Mardi on, march on ! resolved to win 
Our favourite Statesman's cause ! 

Will flattering tales of coming pleasures. 
When plenteousness and peace shall reign, 

And all be rich in glittering treasures. 
The poor man's present wishes gain? 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 249 

Will 't stay the tide of desolation, 
That sweeps so strongly o'er our land, 
To gorge an office-holding band, 

And rob the pockets of the nation ? 

No, no, no, no ! then rise, &c. 

Oh, freemen, up ! let widely flowing 
Your banners to the breeze be thrown, 

Your love of worth and wisdom showing ; 
Your scorn for tyrant knaves made known ! 

Shall men believe their voices telling 
In syren tones, your ship of state 
Is safe, when all around, dark fate 

Frowns out in every wave that 's swelling ? 
No, no, no, no ! then rise, &c. 

The statesman-chief who leads undaunted, 

And cheers a pure and patriot band ; 
Whose praise a grateful nation chanted, 

Who tills, a farmer bold, his land. 

Shall we neglect for one, who scorning 

Our rights, the people^s cause. 

Who dares to trample on our laws, 

Nor lists their prayer, their threats, nor warning ? 

Then rise, rise all for one 

The champion of our cause ; 
Huzza ! for him a loud huzza ! 
Nor let your paean pause. 



250 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

FOR HARRY CLAY, HUZZA! 

Tune— "Prog in a well,'' or any equal measure. 

Ye Whigs, Conservatives, and all, 

Listen to your country's call. 

For troubles " press her to the wall," 

Party giving law ! 

There 's nothing, surely, more sublime, 
Than freemen roused in party time, 
To save their lands from plot and crime : 

Republicans, huzza ! 

The Tory Lord of Kinderhook 
Honest men have most forsook ; 
There 's naught of him, where'er we look, 

Confidence can draw ! 

We to the Locofoco clan, 

The patent demo's leave the man, 

And riddance seek from wizzard Van! 

Republicans, huzza ! 

This man you know has often told, 
That our land should flow with gold ; 
And honest men their freedom sold. 

For this dictum law. 

His plans are only to deceive : 
Leg Bail, is all the treasurers give ; 
But Still our cause we can retrieve ; 

RepubUcans, huzza ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 251 

We feel oppression bearing on, 
Taxes high, and money low, 
And officers, exempt, alone. 

From the destructive law. 

Then, Whigs, advance, of every grade. 
Your country to redeem and aid, 
In freedom's panoply arrayed ; 

Republicans, huzza! 

We for the country firmly stand, 

As a patriotic band ; 

From party men, of party-brand, 

We, of course, withdravs'. 

" Our country first, our country last," 
Her standard, " nailing to the mast," 
" We 're clear for action," standing fast. 

Republicans, huzza! 

We know, indeed, that men must rule, 
But we spurn the party tool. 
Republicans of ancient school 

Our actions draw. 

Of such, the man for whom we go. 
He 's known to all, and this we know, 
His feelings for his country flow ! 

'Tis Harry Clay, huzza! 

What good has Ty or Martin done ? 
None, that ever saw the sun ! 



252 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Their schemes are all for " number one," 

Power and wealth to draw. 

Great Harry 's quite another man, 
To help the people all he can, 
His steady aim, his only plan ; 

For Harry Clay, huzza ! 



THE FARMER PRESIDENT. 
Tune — The Poachers. 

Did you ever hear of the Farmer 

That lives up in the West ; 
Of all the men for President 

The wisest and the best ? 
To put him in the Capitol, 

We 've found a capital way : 
Oh ! we '11 sing a good Clay song by night, 

And beat his foes by day. 

Oh ! we '11 sing, &c. 

Come, all of every station, 

The rich as well as poor ; 
For all the farmer has a place 

Who ever sought his door : 
He never shrunk before the rich, 

Nor turned the poor away : 
Oh ! we 'II sing a good Clay song by night. 

And beat his foes by day. 

Oh ! we'll sing, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 25S 

Come all the folks of every age, 

The old as well as young ; 
There 's not in all Columbia 

A name more justly sung j 
The bravest of the brave M^as he, 

When found in deadly fray, 
Oh I we '11 sing a good Clay song by nighty 

And beat his foes by day. 

Oh! we'll sing, &c. 



When gathered into council, 

Among the wise and great, 
He never thought to serve himself, 

But wisely served the state ; 
A statesman he of vigour yet, 

Although his locks are grey ; 
Oh I we '11 sing a good Clay song by night, 

And beat his foes by day. 

Oh ! we'll sing, &,c. 

There 's news about election 

Borne on in every gale, 
A shout from every place is heard. 

About the plough and flail ; 
And freemen's voices gladly join 

To catch the sound so gay : 
Oh I we '11 sing a good Clay song by night. 

And beat his foes by day. 

Oh ! we'll sing, &c. 
22 



254 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Then raise the great Clay banner 

Upon the outward wall ; 
The word is rolling trumpet-tongued : 

We 'II win against next fall ; 
The cry of victory rends the air, 

It swells the joyous lay : 
Oh ! we '11 sing a good Clay song by night, 

And beat his foes by day. 

Oh! we'll sing, &c. 



THE SUB-TREASURY GENTLEMAN. 

Tune — The fine old English gentleman. 

I '11 sing you a bran new song, 

Which was made by a queer old pate, 
Of a Sub-Treasury gentleman, 

Who controls the nation's fate ; 
And who keeps up his old mansion, 

All at the people's cost. 
With pampered menials to receive 

The sycophantic host. 

Like a Sub-Treasury gentleman, 
All of the modern time. 

His splendid halls are hung about 

With richest tapestry. 
The mirrors bright and paintings rare 

Are wonderful to see ; 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 255 

And there his worship sits in state, 

And rumour's tongue doth say, 
He quafts, from golden cups, rich wine, 
To moisten his old clay. 

Like a Sub- Treasury gentleman. 
All of the modern time. 

His custom is, when hard times come, 

And the distressed repair 
To his old hall, to seek relief 

And claim protection there, 
To say to them — " My policy 

I cannot change a hair 
For your relief, the government 

Must of itself take care." 

Like the Sub-Treasury gentleman, 
All of the modern time. 

Yet all at length must bend to fate. 

So like the ebbing tide. 
Declining swiftly, at the last 

This man must stand aside. 
Then quickly will the poor man's tear 

Be wiped away and dried, 
And people shout both loud and long, 

So much they scorn the pride 

Of the Sub- Treasury gentleman, 
All of the modern time. 

When times and rulers both are changed, 
And rogues have passed away, 



256 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The people's hands and people's hearts 

Will prove the people's sway. 
The offices will then be filled, 

As they were wont of yore, 
That is, by honest men and true, 

With heart to help the poor. 
Like Clay, true-hearted gentleman, 

Whose kindness knows no end, 
Once poor himself, has ever proved 

The poor man's steady friend. 



SONG OF THE WHIG. 

Tu:*iE — Eemember the day when Brings proud 
glory. 

Remember the day when our banner unfurled, 
Like a sun-burst of glory, first flashed to the 

world ; 
When the spirits of Washington, Madison, 

breathed. 
And the blades of the patriot band were un- 
sheathed ; 

A Whig was the cry 
That went up to the sky ! 
Oh ! yet may that name, hke a billow of flame. 

Roll onward, till tyranny's form 
Lies prostrate and cold, as it weltered of old, 
When freedom directed the storm. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 257 

Ye Whigs ! shall those spirits still breathe on 

us now, 
And nerve every heart and illume every brow ? 
Shall the memory of those in our bright land 

expire, 
And tyranny scatter its patriot fire f 
While Kentucky's star 
Waves on from afar 
While the glory of Harrison, Shelby, and 
Clay, 
Like rainbows of victory shine — 
We will hallow each name, we will cherish 
their fame. 
And gather round Liberty's shrine I 

We have sworn it when traitors were forging 

our chains, 
'T is a cause rendered holy by patriot veins ; 
The oath is recorded by bright hands above — 
'T is enshrined in each freeman's unchangeable 
love ; 

And "A Whig" is the cry! 
Let it ring to the sky — 
While we march for our fires and the graves of 
our sires 
O'er a land by their ancestors trod— 
With our banner unrolled, each heart free and 
bold- 
Reliance on Justice and God ! 
23 * R 



5i58 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



THE GALLANT SAILOR has ailwajs had a firm and steady 
fneiid iu HENRY CLAY. Id a speech delivered by bim, in 1812, jm8 
before the war, in the House of Representatives, he spote as follows. 
'• We are toW that England U a proud and lofty nation, which disdain- 
ing to wait for danger, meats it haif way. Ha>ighty as she is, we once 
triumphed over her, and if we do not listen to the counsels of timidity 
SLd despair, we shall again prevail. In such a cause, with the aid of 
P 'evidence, we must be crowned with success ; but if we fail, let us fau 
Ike mea,-las,h ourselves to our gallant tars, and ei[>ire together in Oct- 
tammoQ strue?le, fighting for free trade and Seamen's ri^htf^' 

Ship a-hoy! 




HARRY CLAY AND THE JACKETS 
OF BLUEr 

Tune — " Ye sons of Cdumhia." 

The good ship of state is now driven ashore. 
The thunder howls round us, and dark tempests 

lower ; 
The sea is fast rising— and breaks in the bay, 
And the hearts of the boldest are filled with 

dismay : 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. i^59 

She will founder, unless, with true patriot zeal, 
We get rid of the lubber who stands at the 
wheel ! 

And take a ?iew pilot, whose heart is true 
blue — 

And such we shall find in our Harry the true. 

Our Harry's a leader, brave, honest, and true, 
And deserves the esteem of the jackets of blue; 
His bosom, so free from intrigue, guile, or art. 
Is the shrine of that treasure, a patriot's heart. 
Besides, if we turn o'er his log, we shall find 
Him a foe to oppression— a friend to mankind. 
What say ye, then, sailors \— ye jackets of blue, 
Shall we choose as out pilot bold Harry the true ? 

He has stood by our rights— and nobly has 
shown 

That m state navigation he 's second to none; 
His soul with the true "live-oak grit,'' is im- 
bued ! 

He is worthy to stand where a Washington 
stood I » 

Then give him the tiller— v^hen he steps on 
deck, 

His firmness and wisdom will save us from 
wreck. 

Then summon him, tars ! Shout, jackets of 
blue, 

" Oh, haste to the rescue, bold Harry the true." 



260 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Had he lived in a country where merit is known, 
And rewarded by pensions and praise, or a 

throne, 
Wealth, power, and fame would have been jusi 

his meed. 
And an humble " log hut" had ne'er sheltered 

his head ; 
But his nature is noble— his worth stands con- 
fessed — 
The son of Virginia— fAe pride of the west ! 
Come on, then, my hearties 1 Ye jackets of 

blue, 
And salute with nine huzzas bold Harry the 

true ! 



THE CLAY FLAG. 

Tune.— TAe Soldier's Gratitude. 
'Tis fair to see yon banner bright 

Unfurling to the breeze ; 
'Tis joy to hear that shout arise, 

A Nation's voice it breathes. 

And see upon that sunlit flag 
With glorious mottoes strewed ; 

The patriot name which justly claims 
A Nation's gratitude. 

The stainless crest of Harry Clay, 
Its waving canvass bears ; 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 261 

We proudly nail it to the mast, 
And cry, "gainsay who dares !" 

Breathes there a man who bears a heart 
With patriotic fire imbued, 

But yields our Chief his well-earn'd meed, 
A Nation's gratitude ? 



If the LADIES,— Heaven bless them ' could vote, the election of Mr. 

Clay wo'.ild be carried by acclamation ! Their influence was power- 
fully felt in 1840, and their appreciation of eloquence, patriotism and 
ftnius, will prorapt them to a warm support of " Harry of the West." 
Of this the following excellent song is a proof: 

IF E'ER I SHOULD WISH TO GET 
MARRIED. 

BY A LADY. 

Tune,—" Rosiri the Bow." 

If e'er I should wish to get married, 
And indeed I don't know but I may, 

The man that I give up my hand to, 
Must be the firm friend of Old Clay, 

Must be &c. &c. 

For I am sure I could ne'er love a loco. 
No matter how grand he might be. 

And the man that could vote for Dick Johnson 
Is not of a taste to stiit me. 

Is not &c. &c. 



262 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Tom Benton 's too much of a rowdij, 
To claim any good man's support, 

And on Jemmy Buchanan's low wages 
The people have made their report. 

The people &c. &c. 

John Tyler 's too mean to be thought of, 
A circumstance dropt for a man ; 

By every true Whig he 's regarded, 
As only a "flash in the pan.'' 

As only &c. &c. 

His conduct can no way dishearten — 
The Whigs only wait for the day, 

To make him another " gone Martin," 
And move on with Old Harry Clay. 

And move &c. &c. 

Then rouse gallant Whigs to your duty, 
And drive all the miscreants away, 

Complete what you strove for in forty, 
Your watchword be Old Harry Clay. 

Your watchword &c. &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 263 

HOW MANY CLAY MEN ARE 
THERE ? 

DEDICATED TO THE CLAY CLUB OF SALEM, N. J. 

Tune — Rosin the Bow. 

Johnny Tyler in good time will know, 
By the shouts of the Whigs everywhere 

Whose voices of thunder will show 
Full " how many Clay men are there." 

The Captain will hear the sad news. 
Which will his dear Locos all scare, 

When the ballots of we Jersey Bkes 
Say " how many Clay men are there." 

Vermont that is true as the pole, 
Will from mountain and valley declare, 

That the ball she as ever will roll 
With many good Clay men yet there. 

Mississippi is ready to sliow, 

With Ohio, and stout Dclav/are, 
That all of them very well know 

A world of strong Clay men are there. 

Kentucky, the gallant and bold, 

The weak-headed traitor won't spare ; 

She'll proclaim, as she has done of old, 
That none but good Clay men are there. 



264 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

There 's Maryland's voice he will hear, 
And Georgia as loudly will dare. 

To shout in the imbecile's ear 
How many firm Clay men are there. 

Carolina will echo the sound : 

Louisiana it onward can heai ; 
Indiana shall pass it around — 

For plenty of Clay men are there. 

From New York he shall hear it again ; 

In her strength she will make him aware. 
That through her wide-reaching domain 

Great hosts of strong Clay men are there. 

A voice from far Michigan comes ; 

Massachusetts and " Rhody" prepare 
To tell, with Connecticut's sons, 

That a strong vote of Clay men are there. 

Pennsylvania '11 speak bravely for one ; 

And Virginia is ready to swear 
That, though Johnny Tyler's her son, 

Enough of good Clay men are there. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 265 

THE WHIG RIFLE. 

Air—" Old Rosin the Bow.'' 

Come true gallant Whigs of the Union — 
Though cheated, we '11 never complain ; 
If a traitor has snapped our Whig Rifle, 
We '11 pick flint and try it again ; 
We '11 pick flint and try it again, 
We '11 pick flint and try it again ; 
If a traitor has snapped our Whig Rifle, 
We '11 pick flint and try it again. 

This time we fell in with a Judas, 
And dotard both selfish and vain ; 

And he 's made our Whig Rifle burn priming, 
But we '11 pick flint and try it again. 

But we '11 pick flint, &c. 

His eyes have grown dim with the v.apours, 
Abstractions have addled his brain ; 

And whatever he shoots at he misses — 
But we '11 pick flint and try it again ; 

But we '11 pick flint, &c. 

Brave William, when he lay a-dying, 
Gave up the Whig Rifle with pain ; 

And for his sake, who gallantly won it, 
We'll pick flint and try it again ; 

We '11 pick flint, &c 
23 



266 THE CLA.Y MINSTREL. 

From the green fertile fields of Kentucky, 

A hunter steps over the plain, 
And his eagle-eye sights our good Rifle — 

And he '11 pick flint and try it again ; 

And he '11 pick it, (Sec. 

Huzza '. for our bold gallant Harry, 

He hfts not the Rifle in vain. 
And straight to the centre she '11 carry, 

Ayhen he picks it and tries it again ; 

When he picks it, &,c. 

Last war when our captive Sailors, 

Their cries sent abroad on the main. 
" Free Trade !" " Sailor's Rights !" cried brave 
Harry, 
Lads, pick flint and try it again ; 

Lads, pick flint, &c. 

And now when a dastard and traitor 
Has caused us to triumph in vain, 

True Harry leads on to the rescue. 
Crying, " pick flint and try it again !" 

Crying, " pick flint," (See. 

Henry Clay of Kentucky is our leader, 

Come, rally from mountain and plain ! 
Think no more of the thing that betrayed us ; 
But pick flint and try it again ; 
But pick flint and try it again. 
But pick flint and try it again ; 
Think no more of the thing that betray'd us, 
But pick flint and try it again. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 267 

THE DAYTON GATHERING. 

To Dayton we have come, my boys, 

AH in a great arraj', 
And we will sing and shout aloud, 
Hurrah for Henry Clay ! 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Henry Clay, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Henry Clay ! 

He is the man for us, my boys, 

He 's honest, great and true ; 
And he can beat that little Van, 

Or any of his crew. 

Hurrah, &c. 

It 's right to have the people meet 

In a good old-fashioned way ; 
And when they 've met to sing Hurrah, 

Hurrah for Harry Clay ! 

Hurrah, &c. 

He lives in Old Kentuck, my boys. 

The Banner-State, you know, 
And she has lots of relatives. 

The nearest, 0-hi-o .' 

Hurrah, &c. 

The first is little Tennessee, 

And she is not so slow, 
And when election does come on, 

For Harry Clay she 'II go. 

Hurrah, &c. 



268 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The next is Louisiana State, 

On her you can depend, 
To boost along old Harry Clay, 

A helping hand she '11 lend. 

Hurrah, &c. 

Old North Carolina is safe enough, 

For Harry Clay is she. 
Old Captain Tyler she will head, 

And veto him "per se." 

Hurrah, &c. 

When Georgia votes in forty-four, 

She '11 rank among the best, 
Of those that help along the ball 

For Harry of the West. 

Hurrah, &c. 

The next relation is that State 

Which is called Maryland, 
And she has pledged herself to go 

For the Farmer of Ashlajid ! 

Hurrah, &c. 

Of the Empire State I need not speak, 

But this much will I say. 
That she has done whh her favourite son, 

And goes for Harry Clay. 

Hurrah, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 269 

The Yankee States they are all safe, 

For Harry Clay the true, 
While " Little Rhody'' opposes Dorr, 

And Captain Tyler too. 

Hurrah, &c. 

New Jersey State is safe and true, 

For Harry of the West, 
^For she has said that of all men, 

That man she loves the best. 

Hurrah, &c. 

The little State of Delaware, 

She's "glorious to behold," 
And in eighteen hundred forty-four 

The right tale will be told. 

Hurrah, &c. 

And yet there is the Key-stone State, 

And she '11 not fail to be 
In eighteen hundred forty -four 

With the rest of the family. 

Hurrah, &c. 

The Wolverines are a set of boys 

The Locos cannot buy. 
And when they growl and show their teeth. 
For Harry Clay, they'll cry. 

Hurrah, &c, 
23* 



270 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

And " last, not least," the Hoosier State, 

Will do what she has done, 
And give to Harry of the West, 

What she gave to Harrison. 

Hurrah, &c. 

In eighteen hundred forty-four 

The people all will say, 
That for our President we'll have 

The Patriot Henry Clay I 

Hurrah, &c. 

Three cheers for Harry of the West, 

To whom our love is due ; 
Three cheers for Tom the Wagon Boy, 
Three cheers for ladies true. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Harry Clay, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah for Harry Clay ! 



HERE*S A HEALTH TO OUR 0^V^^ 
HARRY CLAY. 

Tune — Hurrah for the Bonnets a' Blue. 

Here's a health to the working-man's friend, 
Here's good luck to the Plough and the Loom, 

And who will not join in support of our cause, 
May light dinners and ill-luck illume. 

It's good from true faith ne'er to swerve, 
It's good from the right ne'er to stray. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 271 

It's good to maintain America's Cause, 
And stick by our own Harry Clay. 

Here's a health to our own Harry Clay, 

Hurrah for our own Harry Clay, 
It's good to maintain America's cause, 
And stick by out own Harry Clay. 

Here's a health to the sons of " Kentuck," 
Here's good will to her matrons and sires, 
Here's a health to our Harry, the pride of his 
State, 
Whose name ev'ry true heart inspires. 
Hurrah for our own Harry Clay, 

We'll shout him from Texas to Maine, 
If once in his life he perchance has missed fire, 
" Pick his flint, and then try him again." 
Here's a health to our own Harry Clay,, 

Hurrah for our own Harry Clay, 
It's good to maintain America's causBj 
And stick by our own Harry Clay. 



AS I WALKED OUT. 

As I walked out dis arternoon, 
To a drink by de light ob de moon, 
Dar I see dat "same Old Coon" 

A sittin' on a tree, 

A sittin' on a tree, 

A sittin' on a tree, 

A sittin' on a tree, 

And looking werry glad. 



272 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Says I to him, wot make you grin? 
De Lokies say your'er dead as sin ; 
Dut dar you is, de same old skin, 
A sittin' on de tree, &c. 

" Ob course I ar," says he. " and soon 
De Whigs will sing de good old tune 
About dis werry same Old Coon, 
A sittin' on de tree, &c. 

" When Massa Harrison — bless his soul ' 
Began the great Whig ball to roll. 
Why here I sot, and see de whole — 
A sittin' on dis tree, &,c. 

"One ting dar was in dat campain, 
I hope to neber see again, 
It gives the Old Coon so much pain, 
A sittin' on de tree, &c. 
Lookin' werry bad. 

" De way ' Ole Weto 'd take you in, 
I oilers thought would be a sin ; 
It almose made me shed my skin. 
While sittin' on de tree, &c. 
Lookin' mighty mad. 

" Now when you get into de fray, 
Dat will be 'fore many a day, 
And end in 'lecting Harry Clay, 
I'll sit upon dis tree, &c. 
Lookin' werry glad. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 273 

"And den, I hope, If you put on 
Your flag de name of any one 
Wid his'n, 'twill be an "honest John," 
Or else not none at all !" 
So says dis Same Old Coon. w. b. 



CLARE DE KITCHEN. 

In old Kentuck, in de arternoon, 

We take a bee-line for de same old coon, 

And when de nigger tree him, we ail form a 

ring, 
And dis is de tune which dis nigger sing. 
Oh, clare de kitchen, Loco-Foco, 
Clare de kitchen, Looo-Foco, 
Ole Kentuck he neber tire. 

I went to Washington on de old white hoss, 
I ?iead Captain Tyler — he look bery cross ! 
He look at dis nigger, and dis nigger look at him ; 
" Massa Weto, for Wirginny you'd better set 
your shin." 
Oh, clare de kitchen, &c. 

Den Massa Calhoun come a walking by, 
And dus, at de White House turn de white ob 

his eye, 
But Massa Calhoun, you can't come it nigher, 
You bery big man, but you too big nuUifier. 
So clare de kitchen, &c. 



214: THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Massa Benton den he come — he cut such a 
swell, 

How I row him up Sah River, jist hear dis nig- 
ger tell ; 

He calls me deblish humbug — I call him 
anoder — 

He call me possum tief—l say, " ho-w d'ye do, 
hroder V^ 

So dare de kitchen, &.c. 

Den Massa Dick Johnson, he come along too. 
He walk mighty grand up de Abenue ; 
I hold dis flat nose, and tell him push along, 
Cause he smell of raissa nigger a leetle toC' 
strong. 
So clare de kitchen, &c. 

Den Massa Van Buren come back side de 

kitchen door. 
He neber walk grand, but he creep on all four ; 
Says I, " Massa, sl&pe /" and I gib him such a 

grin, 
Dis nigger's kitchen cabinet and Matty can't 

cum in, 
So clare de kitchen, &c. 

O hush! who come yonder! — oh! dem's de 

Whig boys, 
Dey bringin' Massa Clay— by golly what a 

noise ; 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 275 

Dis nigger better colonize— hut hark, what day 

say, 
" You must all clare de kitchen for Massa 

Harry Clay!" 
So clare de kitchen, &c. 



ON, FREEMEN, ON. 

Freemen, rouse, or sleep for ever ! 

On, freemen, on ! 
Strike, for freedom, now or never, 

On, freemen, on ! 
A traitor's sceptre waves above you ; 
Strike, if freedom's call can move you, 
For those you love, for those that love you, 

On, freemen, on ! 

Would you still your birth-right cherish ? 

On, freemen, on ! 
Live unawed, unfettered perish ? 

On, freemen, on I 
Would you that your sons inherit 
Your fathers' rights, your fathers' merit, 
Their fearless heart and freeborn spirit ? 

On, freemen, on ! 

Where's the right those fathers won you ? 
On, freemen, on ! 



276 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Where's the fame they shed upon you ; 

On, freemen, on ! 
Where's your country ? Slaves caress her; 
Tyrants mock, enslave, oppress her. 
Rouse ye ! rescue, and redress her 1 

On, freemen, on I 

By the red graves of your sires, 

On, freemen, on ! 
By their virtue and their fires, 

On, freemen, on ! 
By the blood they shed to save you, 
By the sacred chart they gave you, 
By the foe that would enslave you, 

On, freemen, on ! 

Gather by each glen and valley, 

On, freemen, on ! 
By stream and hill-side, rally ! rally ! 

On, freemen, on I 
Rend each tie, each shackle sever; 
Strike ! and ye are free for ever ! 
Will ye bow ? Oh ! never ! never ! 

On, freemen, on ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL, 277 

THE CLAY RALLY CRY. 

Tune — All the Blue Bonnets, 

Out, out, whigs and true democrats, 

To the rescue of liberty come in quick order, 
Out, out, with your Clay shouts and waving 
hats. 
Freedom calls Hal of Kentucky to guard 
her, 
Far your bright banner spread, 
" Clay at our Nation's Head,'* 
His voice plead for freedom and sham'd every 
tory, 
Rouse men of Clay then, 
Resolve to be Clay men. 
He '11 guide us to wealth and restore us to glory, 
Out, out, whigs and true democrats, &lc. 

Arouse in the North where false statesmen op- 
press you. 

Arouse in the South where your trade they've 
cruslied low, 
Arouse in the East by the patriots that blessed 
you," 
Arouse in the West where the Clay heroes 
grow. 
Hark, freedom is calling, 
Her dear Temple's falling. 
Then to the bold rescue come all in quick order, 
Freemen shall bless the day. 
When their true hero Clay, 
24 



'^TS THE CLA.Y MINSTREL. , 

''ook our Nation's high post to preserve and to 
guard her, 
Out, out, whigs and true democrats, 
Millions are calling, then out in quick order, 

">ut, out, with your Clay flag and waving hats, 
Freedom calls Hal of Kentucky to guard her. 



THE HEROES OF THE MIND. 

Beneath the rule of men entirely groat, 

The pen is mightier than the sword. — Richelieu, 

Tune — " The star'spangled banner.''^ 

Let bards unto fame on the lyre proclaim 
The worth of the heroes who flourish the 
sabre. 
But laurels more stainless those sages can claim, 
Whose voices or pens for their countrymen 
labour. 
A nation may boast 
Of the walls on her coast. 
Their homes to defend from the enemy's 
host, 
But a country's defenders will ne'er show their 

might, 
Till the pen, or the orator, stirs them to fight. 

Remember the bold words of Adams and Paine, 
That raised Freedom's sons in our dark revo- 
lution, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL, 279 

And when Britain's crown sent her ships on 
our main, 
'Twas Clay stirred the land on for bold resti- 
tution. 
Then shout for Great Clay, 
Soon our land he shall sway, 
He '11 guide us and rouse us at danger's dark, 
day. 
With joy and prosperity, shall all be blest, 
When the chair holds the heroic sage of the 
West. 



RISE! RISE! YE FREEMEN! 

TtJNE — Bruce' s Address. 

Ye Yankee sons of Yankee sires, 
Whose souls burn bright with patriot fires ; 
In whom oppression's rod inspires 

The love of Ltbetty. 

Come quickly to the rescue — fly! 
E'en now the enemy are nigh, 
Loud, loud! is heard the struggling cry 
Of Tory-tyranny. 

Yes, now 's the day, and now 's the hour ! 
The Locos' faces long and sour, 
Proclaims our chosen Leader's power. 
And fear his victory. 



280 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

O'er the whole land her shouts arise, 
Behold a nation's eager eyes 
All turned on Clay, the great, the wise, 
The brave, the good, the true. 

Shall golden crown and clanking chain 
Of faithless Locofoco reign 
O'er hill and plain, and stream and main^ 
Red with our fathers' blood ? 

Shall Freedom's sons e'er teach their hands 
To till, like slaves, these happy lands ? 
And chained in cringing, craven bands. 
Crouch to a traitor's voice ? 

No ! down with these intriguing knaves 
Who'd have us live like Eussian slaves! 
While yet the flag of Freedom waves 
In pride o'er this fair land. 



COME UP WITH THE BANNER. 

Come up with the banner 

Of good Harey Clay, 
Who in peace and in war 

Was his country's firm stay : 
Spread it wide to the breeze, 

We 're freemen who rear it, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 281 

And whate'er its fate be, 
We 11 willingly share it, 
We are some of the lads who in '40 

were true, 
To the gallant old hero of Tipppecanoe. 

For cute Van and Calhoun, 

We care Uttle or naught, 
They spread their own snares, 

And in these they are caught; 
They 're for tarifF— no tariff, 

This, that thing and 'tother, 
And so much and nothing, 

That they honest men bother. 

We're some of the lads who in '40 were 
true, 

To the gallant old hero of Tippecanoe. 

Then up with the banner 

Of bold Harry Clay, 
He has told us his course 

In his frank, manly way; 
And we know that old Cato 

Was never to Rome 
More devoted, than he 

To the land of his home. 

We 're some of the lads who in '40 were 
true, 

To the gallant old hero of Tippecanoe, 

24* 



"^82 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

To our Wki£ friends abroad, 

Heartily greeting we send — 
Wishing v/isdom and peace 

May their councils attend, 
And prosperity's star 

Shed its light on their way, 
A^'hile they strive in the cause 

Of our Country and Clay. 

We are some of the lads who in '40 
were true, 

To the gallant old hero of Tippecanoe, 



THE LOUNGER'S LAMENT. 

Tune—" The EzUe of Erin^ 

^hmxf*- •tood by the polls a poor heart-broken 
lo«nger. 
No hope fired his eye, for his bosom was chill, 
*.^wailing the fate of his party in danger, 
He thoizght of the days when it stood on a 
Hill. 
3.\s, wild heaving breast and his heart's sad 

emotion 
Were all that the lounger had left for his portion 
Of glory and spoils, to repay his devotion, 
And a few Extra Globes from his patron saint, 
Blair, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 283 

Sad, sad is the day, cried the office*born 
lounger, 
Oh, once to the custom-house always I'd 
flee ; 
And there seek a refuge in lessees own manger, 

For spouters and editors, hungry like me ; 
Oh, never again in the Treasury bowers, * 
Long kept by the leaders, shall I loaf oflf the 

hours, 
For the Log Cabin boys have robbed Van of his 
powers, 
And he heeds not to-day the poor lounger's 
lament. 

Benton, my darling, though sad and forsaken, 
Dreaming of mint drops — I hear thy sad roar ; 
But alas, among hard-handed Whigs I awaken. 
And mourn for the HumUtgs that cheat them 
no more. 
Oh, merciless fate, wilt thou never return me 
To my office of ease, where the feehngs that 

burn me 
Would be lost if the weighers that gathered to 
teach me, 
Should greet me again as they greeted before. 

Where 's the Sub -Treasury ? — loved scheme of 
Van Bur en, — 

Woodbury and Wright they weep for its fall'- 
And where is Buchanan, the sweet and alluring, 

Who went for hard money, hard prices and all. 



284 THE CLAV MINSTREL. 

Oh, Johnson forsaken, before the full measure 
Of woe had o'erflowed, in the cup of our plea- 
sure, 
Once sparkling with spoils, the victor's own 
treasure. 
Kill Tecumseh again, and thy glory recall. 

But oh, my old leaders, there's naught in sup- 
pressing 
The tears that my own saddened memory 
drew, 
For the people they heed not your wiles and 
caressing, 
They've sworn their allegiance to another 
than you ; 
They're sweeping along hke the waves of the 

ocean, 
And voice after voice, with a grateful emotion, 
Is joinmg the chorus of freemen's devotion, 
And sweUing the shout of great Harry the 
true. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 285 

CLAY, OUR NATION'S GLORY. 

TvNE—3Iarch to the Battle-Field. 

A chief's in the gallant West, 

His name is high in story, 
He 's doomed to make us blest — 
'Tis Clay, our nation's glory. 

Then swell on high 

The Tariff cry, 
And keep his name before ye. 

And honest Hal, 

Presiding shall 
To happy days restore ye. 

A Chief's in the gallant West, &c. 

Hail, Clay, great Freedom's star, 
From thee naught can divide us, 
Whose eloquence can fire in war. 
Whose words in peace can guide us. 

Then freemen rouse, ' 

His cause espouse, 
A brighter day's before ye, 
The bright star, Clay, 
Illumes your way 
To happiness and glory. 

A chief's in the gallant West, &.c. 



286 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

THE STATESMAN OF ASHLAND. 

The stars are bright, and our steps are light, 

As we sweep to our camping ground, 
And well we know, as we forward go, 

That the foe fills the greenwood round ; 
But we know no fear, though the foe be near, 

As we tramp the greenwood through. 
For oh ! have we not, for our leader, got 

A patriot tried and true ? 

Now the deep green grass is our soft mattrass, 

Till the beating of reveille : 
No light 's in our camp but the fire-fly lamp, 

No roof but the greenwood tree ; 
Brief slumber we snatch till the morning watch, 

But one eye no slumber knew ! 
One mind was awake for his country's sake — 

'T was the patriot tried and true. 

The faint dawn is breaking, our bugles are 
speaking, 
Quick rouses our lengthened line ; 
Sweet dreams are departing, the soldier is start, 
ing, 
And welcome the morning shine. 
But, hark ! 't is the drum I the foe is come, 
Their yells ring the dark wood through ; 
But see mounted, ready, brave, cautious and 
steady, 
The patriot tried and true. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 287 

Now nigher and nigher, though hot is their fire. 

And ceaseless the volleying sound, 
We press down the hollow, and dauntlessly 
follow, 
Then tramp up the rising ground. 
Whh death- deahng ardour, we press them yet 
harder, 
And still, as they come into view, 
" Now steady, boys, steady ; be quick and be 
ready!" 
Cries the patriot valiant and true. 

Down, down, drop the foe, and still on, on, 
we go, 

And each thicket and dingle explore, 
Loud our shrill bugles sing, till the wild woods 
ring. 

And their rifles are heard no more. 
Now weave the green crown of undying renown. 

For the patriot Leader's brow, 
And write his name with a halo of flame — 

Brave Harry the valiant and true. 



288 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

WHIGS, WHOSE SIRES FOR FREE 
DOM BLED. 

Tune — Bruce' s Address. 

Whigs, whose sires for freedom bled ; 
By the blood those sires have shed, 
By the ashes of the dead, 

Now awake or die I 

They, when tyrants forged the chain, 
When the war-storm swept the plain, 
Piled the ground with " foe-men slain," 

Or they made them fly. 

In your veins their blood flows warm ; 
Wake to face the gathering storm ; 
See the sword and treasure arm 

Our relentless foe. 

Once, the rod our fathers broke ; 
Shall their sons yield to the stroke, 
Bow and serve beneath the yoke ? 

No ! never 1 No ! 

No ! of chains let bondmen boast ; 
Collar-slaves come like a host, — 
Tories muster through our coast,— 

Then as one we rise ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 289 

Rise for freedom and our land, 
Rise against oppression's hand, 
Rise to dare a hireling band, 

And we '11 win the prize ! 

Let the gathering shout then ring ; 
To the breeze our banner fling : 
Hurl to earth the Tory-King,— 

Soon his reign is o'er I 

Wake and crush his rotten throne ; 
Wake to'end a nation's groan ; 
Wake and tread th' oppressor down, 

Then to rise no more ! 

When in dust your ashes rest, 
Then your sons will call you blest, 
And your land, no more oppressed, 

Blest and blessing be; 

While our mountains prop the sky, 
While the thunder speaks on high, 
Free the starry flag shall fly — 

Free above the free I 



25 



290 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

THE PENITENT LOCO. 

A Glee — Adapted to a popular melody, and dedicated to 
the Norlhampton (N. J.) Whig Association. 

I 've been a Loco-foco, this eight years or nine, 
A spending my cash for ' ' blanks, paper, and 

twine ;" 
Now therefore let us lay by our money in store, 
And we never will play the Loco-foco any 
more : 
Loco-foco ! Loco-foco ! Loco-foco any more ; 
And we never will play the Loco-foco any 
more. 

I went to the White House, where I used to 

resort, 
I told them my money began to grow short ; 
I asked them for an office — their answer was, 

Nay! 

We 've new men to buy, sir, and old men to 

pay ! 

Loco-foco, &c. 

Thinks I to myself then, 'tis a hard case, in- 
deed, 

That a man in this land should lack money for 
bread ; 

I '11 return to the true Whigs, from whom I did 
run, 

I 'U return to the Whigs, like a prodigal son. 

Loco-foco, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 291 

Here 's a health to the patriot, the best we e'er 

knew, 
Here 's a health to the Whigs, the firm-hearted 

and true ; 

Now therefore let us layby our money in store, 

And we never will play the Loco-foco any 

more. 

Loco-foco, &c. 



HARRY THE TRUE. 

TuiTE — Hurrah for the bonnets of blue. 

Here 's a health to America's friend, 
Here 's good luck to the honest and just, 
And who will not join in support of the right, 
Let them still go astray — if they must ! 
It 's good from true faith ne'er to swerve, 
It 's good from the right ne'er to go. 
It 's good to maintain true democracy's cause, 
And stick by great Harry the true. 

Here 's a health to Harry the true, 

Hurrrah for Harry the true ! 

It 's good to maintain demockact's cause, 

And vote for great Harry the true. 

Here 's a health to the sons of the west, 
Here 's good will to her matrons and sires, 



292 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Here 's a health to our Harry, the pride of his 

state, 
Whose name every true heart inspires ! 
Hurrah for great Harry the true, 
We '11 shout him from Texas to Maine, 
And, if in Convention his friends they missed 

fire, 
"PicA: his flint — and now try him again !" 

Here 's a health to Harry the true, 

Hurrah for Harry the true ! 

It's good to maintain demockacy's cause, 

And vote for great Harry the true ! 



NATIONAL WHIG SONG. 

Tune — " The fine old English Gentleman^ 

I '11 sing you now a new Whig song, made to a 

good old rhyme, 
Of a fine true-hearted gentleman, all of the 

olden time ; 
By birth and blood, by kith and kin, a sound 

true Whig was he. 
The pride of all this western world— the country 

of the free. 

Like a line true-hearted gentleman. 
All of the olden time. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 293 

And when he serv'd his country well, her safe- 
guard and her shield, 

The honours that awaited him most freely did 
he yield ; 

He turned him to his home again, and sought a 
farmer's toils, 

For though he 'd filled the offices, he never took 
the spoils. 
Like a fine true-hearted gentleman, 
All of the olden time. 

And when the people in their might, have put 

their solemn ban 
Upon the arch deceiver and on all his Tory 

clan, 
To manage well their state affairs, with one ac- 
cord they'll send 
Harry Clay the dauntless — the poor man's 
steady friend. 
For he 's a fine true-hearted gentleman, 
All of the olden time. 
Let every sound, true-hearted Whig, now raise 

his voice on high, 
And for the^triumph of the cause, join freedom's 

loudest cry ; 
Come to the fight; we'll win the field — away 

with doubts and fears : 
The people's man is Haery Clay — let 's give 
him three good cheers. 
For he 's a fine true-hearted gentleman 
All of the olden time. 
25* 



294 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



" Whigs ! arouse from the igno- 
ble supineness which encompasses 
you'awake from the lethargy in 
which ycu Ire bound— cast from 
you that unworthy apathy which 
teems lo make you indifferent to 
the fate of your country.— Arouse 
—awake, shake off the dew-drops 
that glitter on your garments, and 
once more march to Battle and to 
Victory."— Mr. Clay's speech at 
Home, June, 1842. 



GREAT NATIONAL WHIG SONG. 

"In the strength of your might, from each 
mountain and valley," 
Sons of Freedom, arise ! the time is at hand — 
Around Liberty's standard we 'U rally, we'll 
rally ; 
The star-spangled banner floats over the land. 
Then let the proud eagle spread his wings wide 
asunder. 
And burst from the trammels which strive to 
enchain ; 
" If we rise in our strength, if we speak but in 
thunder," 
The bit of "striped bunting" will flourish 
again. 

For our rights and our laws we '11 stand firm 
and united; 
The blood of our fathers shall ne'er be forgot, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 295 

The faith and the honour they sacredly plighted, 
Shall never be tarnished by Anarchy's blot ; 
Around Liberty's standard, we'll rally, we'll 
rally ; — 
And Haery the true, boys, the watchword 
shall be ; 
Its echo will thunder from each mountain and 
valley 
Of the home of the brave — the land of the 
free. 



JOHN AND THE FARMER. 

Tune — The Ki7ig and the Countrymaii. 

A farmer there was of each good man the friend. 
Esteemed by his neighbours and more without 

end; 
And you '11 see, on a time, if you follow my 

ditty. 

How he took a short walk up to Washington 

city. 

Ri tu, di nu, di nu, di nu, 

Ri tu di ni nu, ri tu, di nu, ri na. 

His snug Ashland home he left with regret, 

And he put up a sign that it would be to let ; 

But whatever rare sights the White House 

might display, 

He 'd find none so strange as he 'd seen in his 

day. 

Ri tu, &c. 



296 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The farmer walked on, and arrived at the door. 
And he gave such a thump as was ne'er thumped 

before ; 
Mister John thought the rap was the sound of a 

flail; 

And his heart beat with fear, and he turned 

deadly pale. 

Ri tu, &c. 

"Run, Pete, and run, Levi, — run, Joel and 

Jim," 
Said John, " but leave Bobby, I cannot spare 

him ; 
There 's only one living dares make such ado ; 
That sturdy old fellow called Harry the true. 

Ri tu, &LC. 

They were all growing merry, and taking 

champagne. 
And the farmer, impatient, rapped louder again; 
To the door all the cabinet ministers run, 
And demand who so boldly had spoiled all their 

fun. 

Ri tu, &c. 

Says Harry, " My fellows, get out of my way, 
I 've routed a Congress like you in my day ; 
My mind is made up to walk into that chair, 
Where John takes his wine with a swaggering 



air." 



Ri tu, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 297 

Then Bobby, who hstened, spoke, "Mister, I 

can — 
I know how to tickle that old farmer man ; 
I 'II ask him pohtely to come up and dine, 
And then we can muddle his wits with the 



wine." 



Ri tu, &,c. 



" Oh ! pray, Mister farmer, just walk up this 

way, 
We hardly expected to see you this day ; 
So many stout swiggers are here at this time. 
There 's but one bottle left, but you '11 find it is 



prime." 



Ri tu, &c. 



" I tell you what, Bobby, I see what you 're at, 
I wont take a glass of champagne, and that's 

flat; 
But a mug of hard cider will answer my turn, 
'Twas once much in fashian up here, as I 

learn." 

Ri tu, &c. 

Then Bob and John searched the table all round, 
Not a drop of hard cider was there to be found ; 
So the farmer advised them to lay in a store, 
On the fourth of next March, if they shouldn't 
before. 

Ri tu, &c. 



298 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The farmer was off, but 't was easy to see 

That his visit had sobered their cabinet glee ; 

And John said he knew how the matter would 

end ; 

He should have to clear out for old Tip's gallant 

friend. 

Ri tu, &c. 



A BUMPER AROUND NOW, MY 
HEARTIES. 

Tune — Old rosin the how. 

A bumper around now, my hearties, 
I '11 sing you a song that is new ; 

I 'U please to the buttons all parties, 
And sing of great Harry the true. 
And sing, &c. 

When first near the Ohio's dark waters, 
My sword for my country I drew, 

I fought for America's daughters, 
Cheered on by bold Harry the true. 
Cheered on, &c. 

Ere this, too, when danger assailed us. 
And Indians their dread missiles threw, 

His voice and his counsel availed us ; 
We conquered at Tippecanoe. 

We conquered, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 299 

And now that the good of the nation 
Reqmres that something we do, 

We'll hurl weeping John from his station, 
And elevate Harry the true. 

And elevate, &c. 

Again and again fill your glasses. 

Bid Martin and Tyler adieu ; 
We'll please ourselves and the lasses, 

And vote for bold Harry the true. 
And vote, &.c. 



" Our Bufferings t? intolerable, and calls aloud for relief."— Van 



iuren. 



THE BEST THING WE CAN DO. 

Tune—" Malhroohr 

The times are bad and want curing, 
They are getting past all enduring ; 
Let us turn Tyler out with Van Buren, 

And put in our Harry the true. 
The best thing we can do, 
Is to put in our Harry the true. 
It's a business we all can take part in, 
So let us to Tyler and Martin 
Get quickly, sirs, ready for starting, 

For we'll put in our Harry the trae. 



300 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

• 
A change of the administration 
Will be for the good of the nation, 
For it is now in a bad situation, 

So we '11 put in our Harry the true. 
The best thing we can do, 
Is to put in our Harry the true, 
And send the whole posse a packing, 
John Tyler and all of his backing ; 
For we 've tried them and found them all 
lacking. 
And we 'II put in our Harry the true. 

We 've had of their humbugs a plenty. 

For now all our pockets are empty ; 

We 've a dollar now where we had twenty, 

So we 'II put in our Harry the true. 
The best thing we can do 
Is to put in our Harry the true ; 
For their roguery can't be defended, 
And it's time that their reign should be ended ; 
We never shall see the times mended. 

Till we put in our Harry the true. 

Uncle Sam ha' n't a cent in his purse now, 
And matters are still growing worse now : 
There's only one thing left for us now, 
It's to put in our Harry the true. 
The best thing we can do, 
II to put in our Harry the true t 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 301 

For we are all of us going to ruin, 
As long as we keep such a crew in, 
So let us be up and a-doing, 

And put in our Harry the true. 



FREEMEN, AWAKE! 

Tune — " A life on the ocean wave.^^ 

Awake to the stirring sound ! 

Hark, hark to the loud alarms! 
A shout on the breeze is heard — 

'Tis the people up in arms! 
Then rouse to the rescue, rouse ! 

In a body all as one — 
Let your watchword be " Our Eights V' 

And your war-cry, "Harry! on! 

Awake, &c. 
In vain did our fathers toil 

And fight for the rights of man. 
If tyrants may scorn us now, 

And to take our freedom plan. 
We'll let them know M'e'U fight 

For the cause our sires have won, 
And our shout shall go forth aloud, 

"Ashland and Harry Clay! on! 
Let us teach these men in power 

What they seem not now to know,. 
That they cannot stay an hour 

When the people utter "go!" 



30<} THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Then up with the shout again, 
Press the cry of victory on, 

"The rights which our fathers gave:"- 
Onward ! brave Harry Clay ! on ! 



THE TREASURY CHEST. 

Air — The Mistletoe hough. 

The cabinet men in the White House hall, 
They knew there was going to be a squall ; 
For some members had come to draw their 

pay; 
To give them a spree and a holiday. 
And Johnny was sad, and his heart oppressed, 
As he turned his eyes on the Treasury chest ; 
For well he knew, if the truth was told, 
That chest was hare both of silver and gold. 
Oh ! the Treasury chest, 
The Treasury chest. 

Then Johnny looked up, and he heaved a sigh. 
While the devil stood ready to help with a lie ; 
There's our Treasury chest as you all may see. 
But Spencer's gone out and has taken the key: 
Just call next month when some lands are sold, 
And we '11 pay you your wages in silver and 
gold ; 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 303 

And should the Whigs ask you, I have to 

request 
That you wont say one word of our Treasury 

chest. 

Oh ! the Treasury chest, 
The Treasury chest. 

The members went off; and they all began 
To puzzle their brains to plot and plan. 
And Wickliffe was sent to smuggle the mail ; 
And Spencer took some drafts for sale, 
And Henshaw he cut down the sailor's cups ; 
And Porter took for sale some blood-hound pups, 
And Johnny cried, now my mind is at rest. 
At length we'll have gold in our Treasury chest. 
Oh ! the Treasury chest, 
The Treasury chest. 

They tried to sell but none would buy. 
They tried to pump but the well was dry ; 
They tried to borrow but none would lend, 
For all knew their days were near their end. 
But their smuggling scheme was the worst by 

far. 
For Wickliffe was caught and kicked out of the 

car, 
So they sought the White House as a place of 

rest, 
And all sat in tears round the Treasury chest. 
Oh ! the Treasury chest, 
The Treasury chest. 



304 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

But the fourth of March caused a dreadful rout, 
For John and his robbers were all turned out ; 
And the cabinet scattered, for well they knew 
They could never impose on Harry the true : 
And they, from great Harry, their tricks could 

not shield. 
For too cunning he was, and too honest to yield, 
And that in obeying the people's behest, 
He would soon find the rights of the Treasury 

chest. 

Oh ! the Treasury chest, 
The Treasury chest. 



WHIG RALLY. 

Tune — All the blue bonnets over the Border. 

Form ! form ! good Whigs and true ! my boys ! 
Why dinna ye all fall in ! ridin' or walkin' ! 
March ! March ! my brave Western boys ! 
Still move on to victory — spite of their talkin 

Up and be ready then ! 

Forward I my merry men, 
Fight for the right and the old Constitution I 

Loud shall the capitol 

Ring with your happy call. 
When Harry Clay tramples the nest of pollu- 
tion I 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 305 

Come ! from the fields where your fathers have 

tilled the ground ! 
Come ! from the ports where your vessels ye 

moor ! 
Gome from the streams where the factory 

wheels whirl round ! 
Come from the mountain, the plain, and the 
shore ! 
Tyrants are trembling ! 
Freemen assembling ! 
Up with the flag of our country to guide us ! 
Tyler shall rue the day ! 
Martin shall skulk away ! 
When the Whig banner flaunts over the White 
House ! 

Swartwouts and Pnees are waiting their plun- 
ders ! 
" Cobblers and Tinkers"* are up in their ire, 
No more shall the tumble-bug Gouge the Sub- 
Treasurer, 
For soon a new cook shall be stirring the fire ! 
Pay off the scuUion 
With Tom's patent bullion ! 
Gather the dishes and bring the hot water I 
Loud shall Grimalkin cry ! 
Lord, how the rats will fly! 
When our bold Harry Clay sweeps to the 
slaughter ! 

Form ! form ! &c. 



• Mr. PiuWing, in speaking of the oflBcerE of the Navy. 

26* u 



^06' THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



UNCLE SAM'-S TALK TO HIS 
MAN, JOHN. 

7Vn£ — Ulalhrook — cr L, A, W, law, 

Herej'Jahn, ome here this minit — 
Why, wliat the devil is in it, 
Tiiat you didn't taks and sign it. 
That little Takiff Law ? 
'T is the best I ever saw. 
In my coffers cash to draw. 
When I put you on my farm, sir,. 
You know I told your marm, sir. 
That I feared you 'd do me harm', sir,. 
And make your master jav/ I 
J, A, W, jaw I 
For I '11 have it, if not the law. 
When I raised you from your statioHj, 
You know you were a poor relation,. 
If I 'd give you a situation, 
Didn't you say you 'd sign that law ? 

Now, John, you '^ve done it, haint you? 
You precious Httle saint, you. 
You 're a pretty fellow, aint you, 
To set up your will for law ? 
But not a fig or a straw 
Do you care for honour or law. 
You 'd better be looking about, sir. 
Far the moment your lease is out, sitj 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 307 

You will feel wiihout any doubt, sir, 
The weight of this huge paw, 
P, A, W, paw, 
You '11 have it if not the law. 

When I raised you, &,c. 

When I set black Dan to watch you, 

I hardly thought that he would catch you. 

With a loco-foco match, you. 

Among my hay and straw, 

Instead of signing that law, 

The cash in my box to draw^ 
The moment he turns his back, sir, 
You are peaking through some crack, sir, 
Or giving some one a whack, sir, 

kSetting up your will for law, 

F, h, A, W, fiaw, 

You can't pick in the law. 

When I raised you, &c. 

My Yankee lads, away, sir, 
You 're turning every day, sir, 
And bringing from Botany Bay, sir, 

New chaps unhung and raw. 

They know my Tariff law 

With "hemp" their necks will draw! 
My jennies no longer spinning. 
My girls no money winning, 
My cotton fields beginning 



308 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

To make me curse and jaw, 

J, A, W, jaw, 

You said you 'd sign that law. 

When I took you, &.C. 



You are ever mischief brewing, 
My farm is going to ruin, 
My workmen swearing and sueing, 
Because no cash they draw- 
It makes them fret and jaw 
To think you won't sign that law. 
Of my farm you've sold the land, sir, 
Which I gave my boys in hand, sir. 
And you pocket the rent as grand, sir. 
As if it hadn't a paw, 
P, A, W, paw, 
The hugest that ever you saw. 

SVhen I took you, &e. 



Why, where did you go to school, John, 
That you think me such a fool, John, 
As the roast to let you rule, John, 

And make your will the law ? 

Why, what a chap ! haw ! haw ! 

You're as bright as Governor Dorr. 
I took you to befriend you, 
But soon I back must send you. 
Without a recommend, you, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 309 

Stupid Johnny Raw, 

R, A, W, raw, 

I find you 're not worth quite a straw. 

When I took you, &c. 

Be packing up your duds, sir, 
I want to see you scud, sir. 
You've got me in the mud, sir, 
My team you cannot draw, 
Why didn't you sign that law f 
Such a coon I never saw ! 
Next time I'll have better luck, sir, 
I've spoken to Old Kextuck, sir, 
To take my farm, and chuck, sir, 
You off among the straw — 
With his P, A, W, paw. 
He 's the man to sign the law. 
When I took you from your station, 
You know you were a poor relation, 
If I 'd give you a situation, 
Didn't you say you 'd sign that law ? 

J. H. w. 

o 

NOW LET US TRY HARRY! 

Tune — Away up Salt River. 

Near four years ago the country was stirred 
By the Whigs, who resolved that they would 

be heard ; 
They elected their President, Tippecanoe, 
They elected another, a Traitor to you. 



310 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Chorus. 

Now let us try Harry, now let us try Harry, 
Now let us try Harry, who always was true. 

The Union was called to deplore her sad fate, 
For death had removed the Chief Magistrate, 
And Tyler wo thought would never betray, 
Because he shed tears for great Harry Clay. 
Now let us try Harry, &:c. 

The doom of hypocrisy always is sealed, 
To you, John, it will very soon be revealed ; 
So pack up your vetoes — clear out of the way. 
For yonder is coming the great Harry Clay. 
Now let us try Harry, &c. 

Your Protest may please you, but still it won't 

do, 
Prepare then to travel that old " Avenue ;" 
Your flattering party will case you away, 
When we march in one column for great Harry 

Clay. 

Now let us try Harry, &,c. 

The gaze of our party is fastened on him, 
Who stands hke a tower amid party's din. 
At the " blast of the bugle," we'll rally a band. 
To welcome him from the "shades of Ash- 
land." 

Now let us try Harry, &,c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 311 

Encircled in glory he then vv'ill be seen. 
As a Patriot decked in his laurels of green, 
As the charm of our music floats gently away, 
The welkin will ruig with great Harry Clay. 
Now let us try Harry, &c. 



UNCLE SAM AND HIS FIDDLERS. 

Tune— OM King Cole. 
Old Uncle Sam had a strange whim- wham, 

A silly whim-wham had he ; 
He called for his fiddlers, and danced in a jam, 

With the troop of old Hickory. 
And every fiddler had Uncle Sam's fiddle. 

And a very fine fiddle had he ! 
Then " tweedle-deedle-de" went the fiddlers, 

Tweedle-de ! 
Oh ! slily and raro they did comb dov>'n his hair, 

To the tune of " E-cox-o-my !" 

Old Uncle Sam they sweetly did cram, 

How sweetly crammed was he 1 
He gaped and grinned at each humbugging flam, 

Crying, " This is the stufi"for me I" 
And every piper he set up his pipe, 

TickUng Sam's catastrophe. 
Then " toodle-dood!e-doo" went the pipers ; 

" Tweedle-deedle-dee" went the fiddlers;"' 
Tweedle-dee I 
But oh 1 how rare Uncle Sam did stare. 

When each fiddler came for his fee I 



312 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Old Uncle Sam found it all was a sham, 

As saucy a sham as could be ; 
And he cried, " You rogues ! do you think you 
can gam- 
mon a sensible chap like me ?" 
But each rogue — Oh law ! had a griping paw, 

And a pair of light heels as you '11 see. 
Then " chink-chink-chink !" went the money- 
bags ; 
" Toodle-doodle-doo" went the pipers ; 
" Tweedle-deedle-dee" went the fiddlers; 

Tweedle-de l 
And each one with a dash made a snap at the 
cash, 
Wasn 't that "pure democracy ? ! ! /" 

Old Uncle Sam felt flat as a clam, 

As flat as a clam-shell he ; 
He scratched his head and did nothing but stam- 
mer and stare in his quandary. 
For these musical cits played the dogs with his 
wits, 
And the deuce with his currency. 
Then " flap, flap, flap !" went the money-bags ; 
" Scatter, scatter, scatter !" said the pipers; 
" Here's leg-bail," said the fiddlers, 
And good-by to tweedle-de, 

Tweedle-de ! 
Oh! there's naught so rare but a rogue will 
dare 
With a snug Sub-Treasury ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 313 

Now Uncle Sam has a new M-him-wham, 
A better whim-wham has he; 

That each Tory sham shall speedily scam- 
per away to " retiracy," 

Then every fiddler shall have a new fiddle, 
And a Whig fiddle it shall be, 

So " tweedle-deedle-dee" merry fiddlers, 
A true Whig tweedle-dee ; 

Tweedle-dee ! 

Then all start fair, and take good care 
Of the Nation's Liberty. 



COME ALL YE MEN WHO PUSH 
THE PLOUGH. 

Tune — Auld Lang Syne. 

Come all ye men who push the plough, 

Or make the shuttle hum ; 
Look up unto your country now. 

And see what must be done. 
Alas! 'tis sinking in the mud. 

As by John Tyler led ; 
The rich can scarcely pay their mugs, 

The poor cannot get bread. 

Then who will help us out again ! — 

— I'm sure 'tis Henry Clay! 
Unless we keep him in the West, 

And force him to say "nay!" 
27 



314 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Then let us work with all our might, 

Elect this shining star, 
And vote by day and sing by night, 

And fetch him from afar. 

And truly not a heavenly star. 

Or mineral of the earth. 
Will say a word against the start. 

To rouse Clay from his hearth; 
To rule a nation gone astray. 

To bring relief to us ; 
To show us that much better way, 

Then put him in we must. 

Although we died with Harrison, 

We're getting life with Clay; 
Because he is the very one. 

Who'll take his place some day, 
" Huzza, huzza! Kind Heaven be praised — 

The western star benign 

Shines bright I — 'tis Freedom's star that 
blazed 

In days of old Lang Syne!" 

D. G. s. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 315 

JOHN TYLER, JOHN TYLER, THIS 

MOMENT WE'VE HEARD. 

Tune, Derry Down. 

John Tyler, John Tyler, this moment we've 

heard, 
And not without pain, of your veto the third ; 
We pity a man's first offence, while we blame ; 
But a man who thrice errs, no compassion can 

claim. 

When you found yourself, John, in the Presi- 
dent's chair, 

You might well be amazed how the de'il you 
got there ; 

Ydu your poverty saw, ana you caught at the 
veto — 

It might magnify somewhat a very small potato. 

'Twas a hobby, this Veto, so pleasant to ride, 
That mount it you must, though the devil betide; 
Nay, John, e'en your friends at your folly will 

jest. 
And whisper, — "this hobby's an ass at the 

best'." 

By all parties you 're scorned as abase renegade, 
Who your ovv'n, and your friends' honest hopes 

have betrayed ; 
They will make of you, John, a convenient tool, 
For the rest of the term of your President-rule. 



»^ 



16 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



But presume not too much, John ; v.hat acci- 
dent brought, 

By a second good hap 's not so easily caught ; 

If you think that a second snug term may be 
snatched. 

You may reckon your chickens before they are 
hatched. 

Then mark what I say, John, your vetoes and all 
Won't hinder presumption from getting a fall : 
There 's a proverb about " the two stools," so 

beware — 
There 's no sitting between them : John, John, 

have a care ! 

And as to your hint, John, thrown out so off- 
hand, 

That " the thing may as yet become law of the 
land, 

If two-thirds of the house should agreed be 
about it;" 

No thanks, John, for that — they can do so 
without it. 

And we call on them, John, as they love the 

dear earth 
That gave them and their own " god-hke 

ancestors" birth. 
To come up to the scratch, and indignant efface 
The opprobrium your veto would fix on their 

race. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 317 

JOHN TYLER'S SONG. 

Tune — A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea. 

When Harrison, the good and brave, 

Was laid upon his bier, 
The whigs then looked on me to save 

The cause they held most dear, 
The hero could not die without 

A parting word for me ; 

He bade me truly carry out 

The system of the free, 

When Harrison, the good and brave, 

Was laid upon his bier. 
The whigs then look'd on me to save 
The cause they held most dear. 

These dying words do truly tell 

How plain he did foresee, 
That when to me his office fell, 

All sense with it would flee. 
I knew I dared not then proclaim 

A word that would appal ; 
I'd strove high honours to obtain, 

And hid my views from all. 

When Harrison, &c. 

I promis'd fair, and told them then 

That I would carry out 
The measures those true-hearted men 

Had warr'd so long about. 
27* 



318 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Though fain a mask I would retain, 

My evil heart to hide, 
That awful Bank-bill when it came 

It slipp'd it quite aside. 

When Harrison, &c. 

When first to me the bill was brought, 

I pious scruples feign'd; 
When chang'd to suit my ev'ry thought. 

The veto power I claim' d. 
Another term I wish'd to run, 

And so, without delay, 
Forgetting all the whigs had done, 

Their cause I did betray. 

When Harrison, &c. 

But they are just what they pretend — 

My conduct they despise — 
Their rigid virtue would not bend 

To aught beneath the skies. 
My native state it knew so well 

How oft I've "jump'd just so," 
To me it bid a last farewell 

A long, " long time ago." 

When Harrison, &c. 

I'm hke the old Egyptian king. 

My heart 's so hard to-day ; 
All o'er the land a curse I bring : 

It's glory's pass'd away. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 319 

Jackson did bad, and Van still worse, 

And I too bad to name ; 
On history's page we'll stand accurs'd — 

Our deeds its pages stain, 

When Harrison, &c. 

From zenith's heights to nadir's view 

We 've brought our own fair land, 
The merchant, tradesman, farmer too 

Have suffer' d by our hand. 
The boasted blessings of free trade 

We now have fairly proved. 
Distress o'er all our land has made ; 

Yet we cannot be moved. 

When Harrison, &c. 

In vain I 've reached ambition's height ; — 

I can't retain my throne ; 
And soon, alas! I'll sink in night — • 

No party will me own. 
There 's not a thought to give relief 

When all my power is gone ; 
" The worm, the canker, and the grief," 

W^ill prey on me alone. 

W^hen Harrison, &c> 

In wrath the nation speaks, Depart 1 — 

Its tones like thunder seem ! 
I 've acted a disgraceful part 

Since president I 've been. 



320 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Earth mourns! for Jackson, Van, and I 

Have ruled with tyrant's sway, 
The brightest land beneath the sky ; — 
Its freedom cast away. 
But Henry Clay, he is a match 
For Jackson, Van and me ; 
The chains we 've forged he 'II soon despatch, 
And set the people free. 



YE WORSHIPPERS OF TYLER. 
Tune — -Ye Parliament of England. 

Ye worshippers of Tyler, 

Who spread ruin through the land, 
And pluck off her prosperity 

With treason's coward hand. 
Pause in your march of plunder, 

For there's one in your track, 
Will drive you from the state's high chair, 

And bring her glories back. 

Think not your schemes can prosper, 

Think not to 'scape our eyes. 
When your spoils are wet with people's tears, 

And by wronged tradesmen's sighs. 
Look on their once bright dwellings. 

Now destitute and bare, 
While want's lank eyes are telling 

The hopes you've b'asted there. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 321 

'T were better they were sleeping 

Within the silent tomb, 
For never to their sunken hearts 

Shall hope and trade e'er bloom, 
Unless each state despoiler 

Renounces on this day 
The "veto" monarch, Tyler, 

And wears the badge of Clay. 

Your chief's dog-star is waning, 

Now in the glowing West, 
Before the brilliant dawning 

Of Freedom's sun, the best. 

Its blaze is lighting onward. 

Swift as the lightning's wing, 
And soon will write his veto 

Upon your "veto hing.^^ 



WHEN TYLER FOUND THE REINS 
OF STATE. 

Tune — Woodland Mary. 

When Tyler found the reins of State 

So firm within his tyrant grasp, 
He chuckled at the course of fate, 

And then resolved the Whigs to rasp. 
V 



32:^ THE CLAY MINSTREI^ 

In course of time the veto came, 

Inflated like a huge balloon — 
The Captain thought while he did reign 

He'd hunt, till death, "that same old Coon." 

" That same old Coon" sat looking on. 

And seem'd to ponder o'er the scene ; 
He wonder' d much, and studied long, 

Why John did whh the Locos lean. 
The varmint thought John's head was crack'd. 

Or he 'd been stricken by the moon ; 
Of sense, he knew, John's head much lack'd. 

To think he 'd kill " that same old Coon/* 

But John, with this, was not content, 

More vetoes he must give his friends — 
His perfidy would have free vent ; 

Corrupt and vicious were his ends. 
The wolf, clothed like a sheep, came forth — 

Again he played the self-same tune : 
From East to West, from South to North, 

He'd hunt, till death, " that same old Coon/* 

A traitor^^ mad career is short. 

He soon becomes despised by all ; 
John Tyler, though within his fort, 

Will witness soon a tyrant's fall. 
His merciless proscription told, 

Too w^ell, how soon would be his doom ; 
The people, now, will soon behold 

His downfall by " that same old Coon." 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 323 

Whigs ! to your posts ! — lift up your voice, 

You 'U yet behold a joyful day ; 
Let all throughout the land rejoice, 

And shout aloud for Henry Clay 
For Henry Clay, the people's man, 

Prosperity will be the boon, 
Defeat the Loco Tyler clan — 

Hurrah, boys, for " that same old Coon." 

R. L. 



YE JOLLY YOUNG WHIGS OF OHIO. 
Tune — Rosin the Bow. 

Ye jolly young Whigs of Ohio, 
And all ye sick " Democrats" too, 

Come out from among the foul party, 
And vote for great Harry the true. 

And vote, &:.c. 

The great day of reck'ning is coming, 
And the Locos begin to look blue, 

There's no chance for you John or for Matty, 
If we stick by great Harry the true. 
If we stick, &c. 

I therefore will give you a warning, 

Not that any good it will do, 
For I'm sure that you all are a-going 

To vote for groat Harry the true. 

To vote, (Sec. 



324 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Then let us be up and a-doing, 
The Locos have yet much to rue ; 

I '11 bet you a fortune we '11 beat them, 
With great Harry the dauntless and true. 
With great Harry, &c. 

Good men from their ranks still are flying, 
Which makes them look kinder askew, 

And fast they are joining the standard 
Of Harry the great and the true. 

Of Harry, &c. 

Then let us, boys, once again rally. 
And form a procession or two. 

And I tell you our foes will all startle 
At the voice of great Harry the true. 
At the voice, &.c. 

And for one I'm fully determined, 
To vote let it rain, hail or snow, 

And I '11 do what I can in the battle, 
For Harry the great and the true. 
For Harry, &.c. 

And if we should get at all thirsty, 
As in time of old Tippecanoe, 

We will tap a large keg of hard cider 
And drink to great Harry the true. 
And drink, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL, 325 



OUR PATRIOT HEARTS. 

Tune — ^The Hurrah Song. 

Our patriot hearts for freedom burn, hurrah, &c. 

To noble deeds our steps we turn, hurrah, &c. 

We rally with the brave and true, 

With flowers the path of Clay to strew. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

United in the patriot's cause, hurrah, &c. 
For freedom and our country's laws, hurrah, &c. 
Our hardy sons with pride display 
The spotless flag of faithful Clay. Hurrah, &c. 

Behold the Loco bands appear, hurrah, &c. 
Their brows o'erhung with rankling fear, 

hurrah, 
They falter now, they hear our gay. 
Our earthquake shout for Harry Clay. 

Hurrah, &-c. 

Then wind the bugles, sound the drums, 
Hurrah, 

Our stainless chief triumphant comes, Hur- 
rah, &c. 

His eye as bright, his heart as free 

As when he strikes for Liberty, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! J. k. 
28 



326 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



It is truly ridiculous, in the Spent party, to denounce the IVhig,, m 
Ftderalists ! If this be, indeed, a term of reproach— ix^d it has, in tbat 
«ense, been applied, let us, for a moment, pause to consider whether it 
is hind to their oion leaders ; or consistent in these, self-styled, " dem'»- 
crats" laus to use it. Facts speals louder than mere words. Who 
proved themselves the best "democrats" dliring the last War? Wa.i 
President Madison a Federalist ? Who gave tint support to that truly 
^l-eat man, during the late war with Great Britain, which every patriot 
was bound to give ? From first to last, amidst opposition the most bitter 
and unrelenting, and amidst almost universal despondency and gloom, 
Henry Clay was the main support and unfaltering friend of Mr. Madi- 
son. Who opposed him, and, in so doing, abandoned their cr>untry 
in her hour of trial, we shall truly learnj as we sing the follow ; ng excel' 
lent toog:— Ed. 




WHEN THIS OLD HAT WAS NEW. 

When this old hat was new, the people used to 

say, ' •" 

The best among the Democrats was Farmer 

Harry Clay ; 
The Locos now assume the name, a title most 

untrue, 
A]:id most unlike their party name, when :his 

old hat was new. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 327 

When ihis old hat was new, Van Buren* was 

a Fed,, 
An enemy to every man who laboured for his 

bread ; 
And if the people of New- York have kept 

their records true, 
H€ voted 'gainst the poor man's rights, when 

this old hat was new. 



Wlien this old hat was new, BnchananT was 

the man 
Best fitted in the Keystone State to lead tliG 

Federal clan. 
He swore "if DeTnocratic blood sliould make 

iiis veins look blue. 
He'd cure them by Phlebotomy," when this 

old hat was new. 



* Van Buren opposed the war, and then changed his 
course; he opposed Mr. Madiso.n, and again changed hi3 
course; he opposed the right of sufirage, and then advo- 
cated it. 

t Mr. James Buchanan declared, during the war. " K 1 
were conscious of the existence of one drop of democratic 
blood in my veins, I would apply to the nearest surgeon to 
let it out." ! Could the " drop" be fouvd, it yvon\d spring 
rapidly, and pale would be its hue, provided especially that 
!his very distinguished— " dmocrat " could-previously 
to said surgical operation— be induced to test, by actual 
<^xperience, the efficacy of his favourite - Uw wages sys- 
iem, benevolently recommendea by him for the poor and 
industrious labourer ! 



328 THE CLAY MINSTREL, 

When this old hat was new, ('twas eighteen 

hundred eleven) 
Charles Ingersoll* did then declare, by all his 

hopes of Heaven, 
"Had he been able to reflect, he'd been a 

Tory true, 

And ne'er have thought it a reproach," when 
this old hat was new. 



* Mr. Charles Jared Ingersoll is said to take great de- 
light, when among his country friends, in dressing, as he 
supposes, to suit his company ! His taste is really exquisite, 
in old clothes and old hats, and that this temporary dis- 
guise is successful is proof alike of his genuine republican- 
ism, and of the good sense and discernment of those ex- 
cellent people of the Fourth Congressional District of 
Pennsylvania, who gave him their support. He is sincere ! 
Of course he is I ! The same disinterested and truly repub^ 
liean, "democratic^' Statesman, is known to have said 
that, had he been capable of reason and reflection, at the 
time of the Revolution, he would have been a— Tory I No 
doubt can be entertained of his sincerity in this also. But 
how is all this inconsistent with intense love of " Demo- 
cratic^' votes and principles? 

Heigho ! 

" With slouched hat and round-a-bout. 
With knees scarce in and elbows out. 
This doughty £)c»«. with Stentor shout 
Declaims for Liberty 1 

Yet bed he lived in days of yore, 
Our country's wounds still bleeding sore. 
We should have had one traitor more, — 
A heartless Torp heV 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 329 

When tliis old hat was new, of Richard Rush* 

'twas said, 
To figure well among the Feds., he wore a 

black cockade ; 
Deny this. Locos, if you please, for every word 

is true, 
I knew full well old Dickey Rush, when this 

old hat was new^ 

When this old hat was new, the senator from 

Maine 
Destroyed by fire an effigy, t to immortaHze his 

name: 
The effigy was Madison's, if common fame be 

true, 
So Reuel Williams was a Fed., when this old 

hat was new. 

When this old hat was new, ' twas in the 

Granite State, 
That Gov' nor Hubbard asked each town to send 

a delegate, 

"* Ricl.ard Rush was the first man who mounted the 
black cockade. 

t — " I saw this done ; it was burned on Robinson and 
Crosby's wharf, in the town of Augusta, Maine; there 
was powder in the head, and I saw and heard the explo- 
sion. I have seen Reuel Williams's house brilliantly illu- 
minated at the reverse of our arms during the last war. — 
James D- Ernest 

28* 



^5 

•>:J 



330 THE CL\Y MINSTREL. 

To meet in council at the time when Federalism 

bUie 
:Viade Hartford look like indigo, when this olc^ 

was new. 

When this old hat was new, Sam Cushman did 

declare 
^' That should a soldier cross the Imes, he hoped 

he 'd perish there. 
And leave his bones in Canada for enemies to 

So much for his '' Democracy," when this old 
hat was new. 

When this old hat was new, Old Governor 
Prevost 

The States invaded, at the head of numerous 
British host, 

Then mark, ye Locos, what did Martin Chit- 
tenden then do ? 

Forbade Green Mountain Boys to fight ! when 
this old hat was new. 

When this old hat was new, Woodbury and 

Van Ness, 
E. Allen Broion, and Stephen Haight were of 

the Federal mess, 
A. H. Everett, and 3Iartin Field, and Billy 

Wilkins too, 
Now " Patent Democrats," were Feds, when 

this old hat was new. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 331 

When this old hat was new, those worthies did 
oppose 

The cause and friends of Liberty, and stood 

among their foes ; 
Not so with KOBLE Harry Clay, the ever wise 

and true,— 
He bravely stood by Madison, when this old 

hat was new. 

When this old hat was new, the friends to 

Liberty 
Knew where to find the dauntless Hal, the 

champion of the free ; 
Come then, huzza for Harry Clay, just as we 

used to do 
When first we heard of War's alarms, when 

this old hat was new. 



THE STANDARD FLOATS ! 
Tx7NE— 07^ Aunt Sally. 

The Standard floats !— the cry is up 

The Whigs are ripe for action ; 
They fear no motley Loco host, 

Or mongrel Tyler faction. 
Their hands are one— their hearts are one ; 

No 'possum— though they " coon" it ; 
From every section of the land 

They gather as an unit. 



J 



332 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

An unit ! an unit ! they gather as an unit ! 

From every section of (he land, 
They gather as an unit ! 
Harry ! Harry ! that old coon, Harry ! 

Ra, re, ri, ro — that old coon, Harry ! 

Sly Matty brings his forces up 

From city, town, and border ; 
A grumbling, discontented set — 

Half doubting — in disorder ! 
He speaks a little Dutch to them, 

And sometimes Irish blarney ; 
But Mynheer cannot understand. 

And doubts remain with Barney ! 
Barney ! &c. 

Calhoun, he beats the Southern drum, 

To draw his clans together ; 
From swamp and land-hill, see, they come, 

Like toads in foggy weather ! 
His ragged banner is unfurl' d — 

He 's most ashamed to show it ; 
But then his backers urge him on. 

With " Go it, Johnny, go it ?" 
Go 'it: &c. 

Now Cass has drill' d his new recruits ; 

Buchanan looks phlegmatic ; 
And Tyler calls his corporal's guard 

The " purely democratic ;" 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 333 

While Johnson draws his sword, and swears 

That he 's the thumpsy, dumpsy, — 
The folks may say just what they please, 

'Twas he that killed Tecumseh ! 
Tecumseh, &c. 
That same old coon sits on a hmb 

At all their follies grinning ; 
The more they fight among themselves, 

The more he 's sure of winning. 
He knows they cannot shake him down, 

While true Whigs gather round him ; 
And so they '11 have to beat retreat, 

And leave him where they found him. 
Found him, &c. 



COME, ROUSE UP, YE BOLD HEART 
ED WHIGS OF KENTUCKY. 

Tune — When Britain s oppression Jier laws, ^c. 

Come, rouse up ! ye bold-hearted Whigs of 
Kentucky, 
And show the nation what deeds ye can do ; 
The high road to victory lies open before ye, • 
While led to the charge by your Harry the 
true. 
When he to the National Council elected, 
The good of his country would he ever 
pursue ; 
And every poor man by him thus protected. 
Should ever remember kind Harry the true. 



334 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

And now from retirement the people do call 
him, 

Because he is vaUant and qualified too ; 
And for one teem they soon will instal him 

As PRESIDENT Harry the faithful and true. 

The Republican banner of Freedom is flying, 
The Eagle of Liberty soars in your view ; 

Then rally, my hearties — all traitors defying, 
And thunder huzza ! for great Harry the true. 

Among the supporters of brave General Jackson, 

There are many Republicans, old men and 

new; 

To all such we say, "come out from among 

them," 

And "go it" for Harry the dauntless 

AND TRUE. 



THE DISPERSION OF THE SPOILERS. 

Tune — " The star-spangled banner." 

The spoilers came down Mke a wolf on the fold, 
And their train-bands were revelling in ill-gotten 

gold. 
And Benton's hoarse howl on the gale did 

resound. 
Like the deep deadly yell of the blood-scenting 

hound. 



THE CLAY MINSTKEL. 335 

Like leaves of the forest when summer is green. 
In the great year forty their banners were seen,. 
Like leaves of the forest when autumn hath 

blown, 
In March forty-four they lay withered and 

strewn, 
For Freedom's proud bird spread its wings on 

the blast, 
And the breath of his wrath laid them low as 

they passed, 
And the eyes of the Locos grew deadly and 

chiU, 
And sub -treasurers' legs for ever grew still. 

The wail of the scullions is still loud in their wo. 

And Matty has vanished and John he must go. 

And the popular might hath the spoiler ex- 
punged. 

The might of the freemen hath freemem 
avenged. 



OUR FLAG IS FLOATING ON THE 
BREEZE. 

Our flag is floating on the breeze, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ; 
O'er mountains, valleys, lakes and seas : 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ; 
Our rallying cry — a magic word, 
From Maine to Michigan is heard ; 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah, hurrak. 

Hurrah for Harry Clay : 



336 THE CLAY 3IINSTREL. 

Press on, press on with Harry Clay, 

Hurrah, &c. 
The Statesman who so oft hath won ; 

Hurrah, &c. 
With such a leader in the field, 
The foes of freedom soon must yield. 

Hurrah, &c. 

Comes from the east the stirring cry. 

Hurrah, &c. 
In trumpet tones of victory ; 

Hurrah, &c. 
The south gives back the cheering shout, 
DispelUng fear, dissolving doubt. 

Hurrah, &c. 

Comes from the north the thrilling peal. 
Stand by him, Whigs, be true as steel ; 

Hurrah, &c. 
Let recreant cowards turn and flee. 
We go for death or victory. 

Hurrah, &c. 

Comes from the west in thunder tone, 

Hurrah, &.c. 
*' He is our best, our chosen one,' 

Hurrah, &c. 
East, west, north, south,— all now display 
Their love for gallant Harry Clay, 

Hurrah, &c. 



7> 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 337 

JOHN C. CALHOUN. 

Tune — John Andersen my Jo, John. 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo, John, 

When we were first acquent, 
You went "the tariff" strong, John, 

And on " a baxk" were bent, 
But now you 've sadly changed, John ; 

Ah I how can you do so ! 
You 're by ambhion all deranged, 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo. 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo John, 

Some year ago or two, 
You tuck'd yourself " io little Van" 

In hopes 'twould bring you through, 
But the man you called "■ a v/easel," John, 

Could not be " suck'd in" so ; 
And he said you " could 'nt come it quite," 
John C. Calhoun, my Jo. 

John C. Calhoun, rny Jo, John, 

From year to year you've passed, 
Hoping that some party, John, 
Would bring you out at last ; 
But it never has "inured," John — 

They trifle whh you so — 
i 'd cut them all, if I wete you, 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo ! 
39 V. 



338 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo, John, 

Be pleased to tell us now 
What hobby next you '11 mount, John, 

To put us in a row ? 
You've tried to "nullify," John, 

But found it was " no go ;" 
Perhaps you v/ill " secede" next, 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo! 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo, John, 

I beg you, if you love us. 
Come not to the Whigs, John, 

To " RUIN," or " rule" above us. 
We do not wish to take you, John, 

We 've tried you once you know, 
And that was once too often, John, 
John C. Calhoun, my Jo ! 

WORKINGMEN'S SONG, No. 2. 

The Tars will man their gallant ships, 

And fling the canvass free, 
Again unfurl the " bunting strips," 

And cheerly put to sea. 
They '11 heave, and weigh, and stow, and pull- 

And sing and hoist away, 
They '11 hoist, and hoist, and hoist, and hoist, 

And hoist in Henry Clay. 

The Carmen long to see the loads 

Of merchandise arrive. 
For then the wharves, and streets, and roads 

T'^^ill be a busy hive. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 339 

They '11 back, and pack, and pile, and lash, 

And drive and cart away ; 
And cart, and cart, and cart, and cart. 

And carry in Henry Clay. 

The Press foretells a brighter day 

To cheer the Printer's breast ; 
They 've turned the world the other way — 

There 's Sunrise in the West ! 
They '11 set, and impose, and correct, and re- 
vise. 

And print, and publish away ; 
They '11 pubhsh, and pubhsh, and publish, and 
pubUsh 

The name of Henry Clay, 

The Ladies — bless the lovely band — 

Our country's joy and pride, 
They go for Harry, hand in hand, 

Maid, matron, belle, and bride, 
To gain " Protect io?i" for themselves ; 

They '11 marry, and marry away, 
And tell their lovers and husbands, and sons, 

To vote for Henry Clay. 

The rich, the poor, the bowed, the free, 

Through all our noble land, 
To bring the nation's jubilee, 

Will lend a helping hand ; 
They '11 pull together all as one, 

And shout and work away. 
Together, together, together, together, 

Thi77,n f for Tfpvni Clov ! J, D. 



340 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

ONE DAY JUST AT SET OF SUN. 
Tune-— Ge< along home my Ycller Gals. 

One day just at set of sun, 
When labour ceased its busy hum, 
I took a walk and heard this tune, 
Sung gUbly by that same old Coon: 
Chokus. 

Get along home you Loco Clique, 
For your strength is fast dechning ; 

Get along home you Loco CUqae, 
For the star of the Whigs is shining. 

Oh there is a man down in the South, 
Who has a most conspicuous mouth ; 
He thinks he '11 eat up every coon, 
But you can't come it, John Calhoun ! 
Get along home, &.c. 

And Captain Tyler much does yearn, 
To keep his seat a second term : 
But Captain you must " Crawfish^' soon, 
Now mark the v/ords of this here coon. 
Get along home, <Scc. 

There 's General Cass, " he can't come in," 
He never will this old Coon skin ; ' 
I cant come down, you '11 waste your shot, 
^ Cause GerCral Cass ai7it Captaiii Scott. 
Get along home, &c. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 341 

And little " Mat" will plot and plan, 
But he is not the people's man, 
I licked that varmint once before. 
And will again ia Forty-four. 

Get along home, &c. 

But right down here in Old Kentuck, 
It this old coon has any luck, 
We '11 find a man to gain the day, 
And who will stick as tight as Clay. 

Get along home, &c. 

Yes, give us Harry of the West, 

The truest, wisest, and the best. 

And then if things don't mend right soor - 

Just take the hide off this old Coon. 

Get along home, &c. 



ROLL THE DEMOCRATIC BALL. 
Tune — Bruce' s Address. 

Freemeii ! hear your country's call, 
Roll the Democratic ball, 
Let your voice be heard by all 

The foes of liberty. 
Now's the day and now 's the hour. 
See they struggle hard for power : 
But in vain the Locos roar 

Against Democracy, 
29* 



342 > THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Who will be a Loco slave, 
Who would not his country save, 
Who a monarch soon would have, 

Let him turn and flee. 
Who Columbia's glory love, 
Who hr freedom, freemen prove ; 
Onward to the battle move, 

Let us all be free. 

From all labour-crushing laws, 
From official plunderers^ jatus, 
And Suhtreasurers'' " specie claws, ^ 

Keep your country free. 
Let Henry Clay then lead the van. 
To carry out the glorious plan. 
Approved by every honest man 

Who loves his liberty. 



COME ONE AND ALL! 
Tune— 0Z(^ Tip's the Boy. 

Come one and all, obey the call, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah; 
And rally round on freedom's ground. 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 
Renouncing all the Tyler truck. 
Once more we mean to try our luck. 
With Harry Clay of Old Kentuck, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah 



I 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 343 

A Western star that shines afar, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah; 
A ray of Ught that quivers bright, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 
Then place him proudly on your crest, 
A man with truth and wisdom blest. 
The lion Statesman of the West, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! 

While Harry's there let none despair, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ; 
For when he spoke the Tyrants shook, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 
Who in a dark and doleful hour, 
His voice in thunder tones did pour 
Against that fatal veto power, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

The Battle fights of all State Rights, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah; 
With Union too, he 's firm and true, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 
And looking to our rights alone, 
Strict justice he would not postpone. 
But give to every State her own, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 

The sterling friend of Old North Bend, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 
The ladies, too, beheve him true, 

Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 



344 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

The Father of Columbia's cause. 
Whose measures must demand applause, 
A Tariff and Protecting laws, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! 

With Benton's gold he can't be fool'd, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ; 

Nor Tt/ler^ s plan, Calhoun, nor Van, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ; 

But dauntless he will face the storm, 

Our currency he will reform, 

And make it sound and uniform, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah! 

Our cause is just, and thrive it must, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 

Then let's be wise and seize the prize, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah. 

Let every Whig go hand in hand, 

And form one patriotic band, 

To save this blest and happy land, 
Hurrah, hurrah, hurrah ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 345 




THE HUGE PAW. 

Tune— "Zaw." 

Come list to me a minute, 

A song, I 'm going to sing it, 

You 'II find there 's something in it, 

'Tis all about a paw. 

P, A, W, paw, 

The hugest ever you saw, 
If you 've any commiseration 
For the luckless situation 
Of this bamboozled nation, 

Hear the tale of this HUGE PAW. 

The wheel was lustily spinning, 
The merchant merrily grinning. 
And cash the farmer was winning, 

As fast as he could claw. 

C, L, A, W, claw. 

Went each industrious paw; 
And all was jollification. 
Till a meddling botheration 
Confounded the circulation 

Of the blood of this HUGE PAW, 



346 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

* For a quack came slily creeping, 
While Uncle Sam was a-sleeping, 
And, astride of his shoulders leaping, 

Like a hungry dog did gnaw, 

G, N, A, W, gnaw, 

All the flesh of his honest paw, 
And with mighty speechification, 
Made a blarneying protestation. 
How he'd "better his circulation," 

By the wag of his impudent jaw ! 

But, sirs, the quack was a Tory, 
And his wonderful " blaze of glory," 
To make short work of the story. 

Was puffed away in a flaw ! 

F, L, A, W, flaw, 

Like snow in an April thaw ! 
If you've any commiseration, 
Think of Uncle Sam's consternation, 
When he felt the sudden prostration 

Of the strength of his HUGE PAW ! 

But the rogues will soon be nabbin. 

If guessing I 'm any dab in ; 

So — come out and stop the squabbUn', 

Great Hal ! and give 'em the law ! 

L, A, W, law. 

Shall worry 'em all till they jaw, 
Then sound a loud acclamation. 
And hand him into his station. 
For he 's the man for the nation, 

To wield of reform the HUGE PAW. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 347 

So, Tories, prepare to knock under, 
For he '11 down upon you like thunder, 
And smite your whole squad asunder, 

With his HUGE and VETERAN PAW. 

P, A, W, paw, 

Will hit you over the raw ! 
Then hurrah for the Whigs and the nation ! 
And a shout of loud jubilation 
For the glorious restoration 

Of the HUGE and PATRIOT PAW. 



THE RUBBER; OR MAT'S LAST 
GAME. 

Tune — 3Iiss Bailey. 

Our little Mat, from Kinderhook, no friend to 

country quarters, 
Resolved to rule a second term, or dangle in his 

garters ; 
Though Lindenwold grew cabbages, he got but 

Uttle of it ; 
'Twixt public crih, and private crib, there's a 

difference in the profit ! 

Great difference in the profit ! 

Ye office-seeking sycophants, novsr ready let 

each one be ; 
The Argus, with its hundred eyes, looked every 

way for Sunday ; 

i 



348 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Mat sung all tunes in double voice — one bass, 

the other treble ; 
While in the Senate, Silas Wright was playing 

second fiddle. 

Wright playing second fiddle ! 

Importers and onr factories Mat wished in good 

condition, 
And Slavery 'twas a sacred thing, and so was 

Abolition ! 
He was for Union and Repeal — ' ' more no than 

yes" — the Treaty; 
He loved Protection and Free Trade, Sub- Trea 

sury notes and Specie ! 

All salaries paid in specie ! 

Then Agriculture — he revered it ! he himself a 

"happy Tiller, 
' At first, he bought his hay and oats, but past 

two years" was seller; 
"Had reclaimed twelve acres bog" — in the 

" useful" was their true vassal, 
" But for him to talk to farmers, was carrying 

coals to Newcastle." 

Mat " carrying coals to Newcastle !" 

And oh ! the generous rival; — Calhoun, although 

Quixotic, 
Was an honest NuUifier ! — Cass, vain, but 

patriotic, 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 349 

Johnson, an honourable man— all were in his 
opinion ! 

Dick never wrote that mail report, but doubt- 
less killed an Indian ! 

Dick doubtless killed an Indian ! 

Now any mortal man but Mat— such studied 

non-committal, 
Such twidling, twaddling, twisting, would very 

much be- little ; 
He patted Cass-men on the back, and Johnson 

and Calhoun-mcn ; 
Soft-sawdered all mankind, and loved— Lord ! 

how he loved the women ! 

Who doesn't love the women ! 

Now Mat had learnt in Jackson times, in Loco- 

Foco sections, 
That soldiering and rub-a-dubs, were just the 

thing for 'lections ; 
But his merit-roll was mighty short in service*. 

thus exciting ; 

He "faZ/iec? of Battles," suug at home, when 
others did the ficrhlino- ! 

Dick Johnson did the fishtino- ! 

Quoth Mat, I need the Hickory poles to reach 

the place assigned me 1 
I '11 mount the Presidential horse and pilHon— 

Polk behind me ' 
SO 



350 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Old Tennessee can help me raore than scores 

of " Accidentals," 
If she'll rig me out in the General's cdcked 

hat and regimentals ! 

Old Hickory's regimentals! 

Like bag on bean-pole, such a ft, the tailor 

tribe were shock' d at ; 
Old soldiers snickered to see Mat play general 

in a cocked hat ! 
Old Hickory shakes his sides to see how slouch- 

ingly his suit sets, 
While " Puss in boots" makes awkward strides 

to " follow in his footsteps !" 

In his "illustrious footsteps !" 

Then all contributed their mite: the Argus, 

"public feeling;" 
Old Hickory furnished, rub-a-dubs— John 1 y- 
, ler, double-deahng ! 
Ritchie, to gull the populace, fluttered Uke a 

stool-pigeon ! ' , j 

Hoyt furnished funds, Dick Davis wind, and 

Butler the Religion ! 

Ben Butler the Rehgion ! 

And Humbug Benton, having heard, although 
he never read it. 

That Balaam's Ass had made a Bpeech, re- 
ported to his credit; 






THE CLAY MINSTREL. 351 

Came forth in many a wind}' speech ; for he 

felt some ambition, 
Like his great prototype, to show an ass's sad 

condition ! 

The Ass's sad condition ! 

By ' British gold' and ' Biddle Banks,' he said 

he 'd never be bought, 
" Rumbled his belly MV'—[Khig Lear] — hke 

tempest in a tea-pot ; 
He always thought the popular breath like 

herring spoiled in curing, 
But their "sober second thought," he hoped 

would be for Mat Van Buren 1 
For ?iim and Mat Van Buren ! 

Prince John, too, fired with patriot zeal, met 
with responses hearty. 

His honeyed voice, and spindle-shanks, devoted 
to "the Party;" 

'Barn-Burners' and ' Old Hunkers' were dear 
alike to Matty, 

If they 'd resolve, nem. con. to vote their favour- 
ite son — his Pappy ! 

His well-fed, grateful Pappy ! 

Mat's nomination now v.'as deemed as past al! 

apprehension. 
His rivals —jockey'd off the course — Mat 

' heads' them in Convention I 



352 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

But HENRY CLAY was waxmg strong, while 

I\Iat grew faint and feeble ; 
Huzza for Clay, and exit Mat, cursing the 

stupid People ! 

Mat could'nt gull the People ! 



ALL'S WELL. 

Hark ! from the broad and noble West, 
From whsre the Hero's ashes rest, 
The loud and stirring peal rings out — 
And comes on every breeze the shout 
For Harry Clay ! 
For Harry Clay ! 
For Harry Clay ! 
For gallant Harry Clay ! 
See them rush from the mountain's side- 
They come from plain and prairie wide !■ 
From every forest, glade and glen, 
The shout goes up again, 
" ^Yho goes there ? Stranger, 
Stand ! Say the word." 
"Kentuck!" 
"Hurrah!" 
"All 'swell! All's well !'^ 
The West, 
The East, 
All— All 's well ! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 353 

From wild New England's mountain's steep, 
On through her valleys green they sweep — 
And swelling high his glorious name, 
His noble deeds aloft proclaim 
For Harry Clay ! 
For Harry Clay ! 
For Harry Clay! 
For fearless Harry Clay ! 
From ocean's surge to mountain rills, 
Bright burn the watch-fires on the hills ! 
Each arm is nerved, each sword gleams high, 
To strike for victory ! 
" On ! on ! Comrade ! 
To the front ! who leads V 
"Kentuck!" 
" Hurrah !" 
"All's well! All's well!" 
The West, 
The East, 
All 's well ! All 's well ! 

And from the palm-groves of the south 
The lofty strains are ringing forth, 
Hark irom her thousand plains they come, 
In tones that thrill Uke battle drum. 

For Harry Clay ! 

For Harry Clay! 

For Harry Clay! 
For faithful Harry Clay. 

30* X 



S34 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

And when they hear his honoured name. 
It kindles Freedom's hohest flame, 
And million hearts with joy beat high. 
Resolved to do or die. 
"Ho! what of the night? 
Quickly tell, who leads?" 
"Kentuck!" 
" Hurrah r" 
" All 's well ! All 's well V 
The East, 
The South, 
All— All 's weU I 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 355 




THE COON SONG. 

Tune — Dandy Jim of Caroline. 

A race ! a race ! And who will win ? 
Who will be out ? who will be in ? 
Trot out your nags ! we '11 see who '11 take, 
From all, the Presidential stake ! 

The people say they '11 go for Clay, 
The true heart's hope, the country's stay 
So raise the shout, and clear the way, 
For work and worth and Harry Clay! 



356 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

First Tyler comes the boon to crave : 
A laugh and hiss meet the traitor knave, 
He lowers his nose and sneaks away ; 
For he dares not face old Harry Clay. 

For the people say, Sec. 

Next sneaking in, Grimalkin Van 
Purrs low, and thinks " I will if I can." 
But we whipp'd him once — Lord, how he ran I 
Hang up your fiddle — you 're not the man. 

For the people say, &c. 

Then comes Calhoun, now right, now wrong ; 
Though six feet two, he's " nothing long." 
But short or tall he '11 be no higher, 
We'll nullify the nuUifier ! 

For the people say, «&c. 

There's Old Tecumseh: "he won't do: 
While he loves black, he will get blue ; 
And taking a wife, so weak his sight, 
Poor rnan ! he did' n't know black from white. 

So the people say, &.c. 

Buchanan comes. A shilling a day ! 
Work Locos ! How d'ye like your pay ? 
Old Conestoga's stall'd, they say, 
He 's sticking in Kentucky Clay. 

For the people say, &,c- 



I 

THE CLAY MINSTREL. S57 

Now hobbles in old Madam Cass ; 
She 's not what she was, alas ! alas ! 
She might be a pet of the frog-eaters' king,— 
Where the people rule she 's not the thing. 

For the people say, &.c. 

Then Clay, with a lion port, strides by, 
And shouts of thunder cleave the sky ; 
The pure, the bright, the tried and true, 
The laurel wreath belongs to you. 

For the people say, &c. 



THE 



CLAY MINSTREL. 



PART II. 



{359) 



HENRY clay; 
On his return to Kentucky,— April, IS42. 



Slowly, serenely now he sinks to rest 

Behind the towerins Alleghanies. Far 
In the loved valleys of his genial West, 

He woos the peace which Man nor Fate may mar. 
Well may the land in proud remembrance bear 

The glories of his long, bright summer day : 
Its storms subdued, its skies which kindlier ivere 

As high he moved on his majestic way. 
Long shall it muse o'er his benignant sway 

In darker following hours — Ah no ! not long! 
full soon the gladness of his morning ray 

Shall wake all hearts to ecstasy and song ! 
Behold I even now the blackness disappears, 
And soon his risen orb shall dry the Nation's tears t 



(360) 



THE 



CLAY MINSTREL. 
PART II. 



I cannot lay myself down in the way of the welfare and happiness 
of my country. That I cannot, I have not the courage to do. I cannot 
interpose the power with which I may be invested, a power conferred 
not for my personal benefit, nor my aggrandizement, but for my coun- 
try's good, to check her onward march to greatness and glory. 1 have 
not courage enough— I am too cowardly for that, I would not, I dare 
not in the exercise of such a trust, lie down and place my body across 
the path that leads my country to prosperity and happiness, 

Mr. Clay— in the Senate— 1841. 



HENRY CLAY. 

ON HIS RETIRING FROM THE U. S. SENATE. 

Wail for the glorious Pleiad fled — 

Wail for the ne'er-returning star 
Whose mighty music ever led 

The spheres in their high home afar ! 
Bring burial weeds ? and sable plume ? 

What — lift the funeral song of wo 
Such as should o'er the loved one's tomb 

In sorrow's tenderest accent flow ? 
31 (361) 



362 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Ah ! Freedom's kindling minstrel, no ! 
Strike ! strike with a triumphant hand 

Thy harp, and at hs svvelhng roll 
Speak, thi'ough the borders of our land, 

The might — the beauty of that soul 
Whose Genius is our guardian light 
Through sunny ray or darkling night — 
A worshipped Pharos in the sea. 

Lifting on high its fearless form 
To guide the vessel of the Free 

Safe through the fury of the storm. 

Pride of the west ! whose clarion-tone 
Thrilled gladly through her forest lone, 
And waked to bounding life the shore 
Where darkness only sat before — 
How millions bent before thy shrine. 
Beholding there a light divine — 
Caught on the golden chain of love. 
From its majestic source above. 

Stau of our Hope ! when Battle's call 
Had wove the soldier's gory pall — 
When blazing o'er the troubled seas. 
Death came tumultuous on the breeze, 
And men beheld Columbia's frame 
Scorched by the lurid levin-flame — 
Thou ! thou didst pour the patriot -strain," 
And thrilled with it each bleeding vein — 



* Ailudiog to hie eSorU as Bepublicaa leader io Congress during tbs 
Sate Wn. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 363 

Until the star-lit banners streamed 

Like tempest-fires around the foe, 
Whose crimson cross no longer gleamed 
In triumph where it erst had beamed — 
But sunk beneath our gallant blow. 

Sun of the Free ! where Summer smiles 
Eternal o'er the clustered isles — 
Where Greece unsheathed her olden blade 
For Glory in the haunted shade — 
Where Chimborazo stands sublime 
A land-mark by the sea of Time* — 
Thy name shall, as a blessing given 

For man, oh ! never to depart, 
Peal from our gladdened Earth to Heaven — 

The warm, wild music of the heart. 

Pride of the Just ! what though dark Hate 

Her phrensied storm around thee rolls — 
Has it not ever been the fate 

Of all this Earth's truth-speaking souls? 
Lightnings may play upon the rock 

Whose star-kissed forehead woos the gale. 
While they escape the thunder-shock 

Who dwell within the lonely vale — 
Living unnoted ! — not so thou, 
Chief of the fearless soul and brow! 



* Who can forget Henry CIsy's buroiag eloquence in advocacy of 
Creciao &Dd South American Independence 7 



364 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Yet let the lightning and the storm 
Beat on thy long-devoted form ! 
The silvery day- beam bursts ! and lo ! 
Around thee curls the Promise -Bow ! 

Look ! on yon height Columbia stands — 

Immortal laurels in her hands ! 

And hark her voice—" Rise! Freemen, rise! 

Unloose the chain from every breast ; 
See ! see the splendour in yon skies 

Flashed from the bosom of the West !" 
Roused at the sound, lo ! millions leap 
Like giants from inglorious sleep ! 
What cries are here ? What sounds prevail I 
Whose name is thundering on the gale ? — 
(Far in the mountains of the North — 

Far in the sunny South away — 
A winged lustre bounding forth—) 

The deathless name of Henry Clay! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 365 



That patriotism which, catching its inspiration from the immortal 
God, and leaving, at an immeasurable distance below, all lesser, grovel- 
ling, personal interests and feelings, animates and prompts to deeds of 
self-sacrifice, of valour, of devotion, and of death itself— that is public 
virtue, that is the noblest, the subliniest of all public virtues. 

Mr. Clay, in the Senate.— ISil, 



MR. NEAGLE'S PORTRAIT OF 
HENRY CLAY. 

Lofty, erect, beneath the Senate's dome, 
His bald, high forehead eloquent with thought, 
His clear eye kindled with a patriot's fire. 
Stands up, my country, here, the noble form 
Of one amidst the proudest, and the best 
Of thy illustrious sons, — around him spread 
Memorials of the trophies he has won. 
Here are the anvil and the shuttle : here, 
Hard by, the plough, which his own hand hath 

held; 
While far upon the blue and booming sea. 
Leans the tall ship before the fresh'ning gale ; 
Fair symbols all, of that tri-sisterhood. 
The bond of nations, and their monument. 
The strength and glory of the common weal — 
Wide Commerce, ancient Husbandry, and 

Art. 

Beside him hangs, in broad and flowing folds 
Of striped and starry blazonry, that flag 
Ne'er borne aloft by tyrant hands, nor struck 
In base dishonour to a conquering foe— 



366 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Young Freedom's ensign to a waiting world ! 

! well the artist's cunning hand hath wrought, 
In shape and shade, the spirit of the scene ! 
And musing here, in still and thoughtful mood, 
In pensive silence gazing on that brow, 

My busy memory gathers up the past, 
Runs o'er the records of departed time, 
And marks the progress of his high career, 
Whose form and features beam upon me now. 

I see him first, an orphan boy ; his name 
Unknown to greatness, born upon no page 
Of proud and empty heraldry ; his lot 
Cast not amidst the gay and glittering scenes 
Of rank and riches ; liis sole heritage 
A clear, strong head, a great and fiery heart, 
And, crowning these, the birthright of the free ! 

While yet the fresh bloom of life's youthful 

years 
Glows on his cheeks, that burning soul hath 

found 
Full utterance from his eloquent lips to scourge 
The false fear of oppression, and to claim 
Unshackled freedom for the pen and speech. 

1 see him next ere thirty summer suns 
Had shed their radiance on his upward path, 
Standhig, a peer, amid that choicest few, 
The honoured and the trusted of the land, 
The guardians of its liberty and laws— 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 367 

Bearing upon his brow, and in his heart, 
With the high hope and confidence of youth, 
The cahn, clear wisdom of experienced age. 

Well hast thou placed him, artist — underneath 
That vaulted roof, whose arches have sent back 
So oft the echo of his warning voice, 
Uplifted, ever, for the right and true. 

* * * * * 

Hail ! Patriot, Sage, and Statesman ! on thy 
brow 
Though fickle Fortune may not set her seal, 
A greener garland blooms than any wreath 
The wayward Goddess for her minions binds: 
And in thy hands though office may not place 
Its barren sceptre and its fleeting power — 
A brighter, better destiny is thine 
Than all these empty honours can bestow. 
Thou hast thy country's love: — with her re- 
nown 
Thy own is woven ; with her name, thy name. 
In union indestructible, is bound : 
The pages of her history are thine ! 
And when thy setting sun shall touch the verge 
Of life's horizon, shall a nation's eyes 
Follow in sadness the departing light ; 
A nation's heart thy memory shall embalm ; 
A nation's tongue thy eulogy shall speak; 
Worthy amongst the worthiest of her sons, 
Her dauntless champion and her steadfast friend J 



368 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 



"What patnofc purpose is to be accnmpiu,,ed by (his Re«oIutiou? 
Cau you make that not to be which has been ? Can you eradicate from 
tnea.ory and from history the fact, that ia March, 1834, a majority of 
the Senate of the Uni.ed States passed the resolutio^ whi^h exc J you 
enn3.,y? Is.t your vain and wicked object to arrogate to youSes 
.^ power of annihilates the pas. which has been denied t Z ^ 

to pluck out the deeply rooted convictions which are there ? Or i, 1, 
your desip, merely to stigmatize us ? You cannot stigmatize US. 

" Ne'er yet did base dishonour blur our name." 
Standins securely upon our conscious rec.itude, and bearing aloft the 
.h.eld of the coo.titution "^ our country, your pu'ny efforts are impotent 
aiid we defy all yonr power." * c impoiem, 

Mr. Clay on the Expunsing Sesolution. 

STAR OF THE WEST! 

Not Fallen ! No ! as well the tall 
And pillowed Alleghany fall— 
As well Ohio's giant tide 

Roll backward on its mighty track, 
As he, Columbia's hope and pride, 
The slandered and sorely tried, 

In his triumphant course turn back. 
He is not Fallen ! Seek to bind 
The chainless and unbidden wind ' 
Oppose the torrent's headlong course 
And turn aside the whirlwind's force ; 
But deem not that the mighty mind ' 
Will cower before the blast of hate 

Or quail at dark and causeless ill'- 
J or though all else be desolate, ' 
It stoops not from his high estate ; 
A Marius 'mid the ruins still. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. S6£ 

He is not Fallen ! Every breeze 

That wanders o'er Columbia's bosom, 
From wild Penobscot's forest trees, 
From Ocean shore, from inland seas, 

Or where the rich Magnolia's blossom 
Floats, snow-like, on the sultry wind. 

Is boommg onward on his ear, 
A homage to his lofty mind— 
A meed the falling never find, 

A praise which Patriots only hear. 

Star of the West ! A million eyes 

Are turning gladly unto him ; 
The shrine of old idolatries 

Before his kindling light grows dim ! 
And men awakes as from a dream. 

Or meteors dazzling to betray ; 
And bow before his purer beam, 

The earnest of a better day. 

All Hail ! the hour is hastening on 

When, vainly tried by Slander's flame, 
Columbia shall behold her son 

Unharmed, without a laurel gone, 
As from the flames of Babylon 

The angel-guarded trial came 
The Slanderer shall be silent then, 
His spell shall leave the minds of men, 
And higher glory wait upon 

The Western Patriot's future fame. 

J. &. w. 



S70 THE CLA-Y MINSTREL. 



ERECT HE STANDS. 

" Hold iiig the principle thjtt a citi- 
zen, 80 long- as a single pulsation re- 
mains, is under an obligation to exert 
bis utmost energies in the service of hii 
country, whether in a private or public 
station, luy friends may rest assured thai 
in either condiiion 1 shall stand erect, 
with a spirit unconquerei, while life 
endures, ready to second their exertions 
in the cause of union and liberty." 
Henry Clay. 

Ay ! stand erect — the cloud is broken ; 
Above thee stands the rainbow's token ^ 
The shadow of thy onward way 
Is bending into perfect day ; 
The slanders of the venal train 
Assail thy honest name in vain ; 
For thou art still, as thou hast been. 
The hope of fi-ee and patriot men. 



Still boasts thy hp its fiery zeal, 
Thy heart its joy in human weal ; 
Still free thy tongue to soothe or warm. 
Still keen its fiery shaft of scorn ; 
Still soars thy soul untamed and strong. 
The loftier for its sense of wrong , 
Still first in Freedom's cause to stand, 
The champion of her favourite land. 

! what to thee were pomp and show, 
Aught that thy country can bestow ? 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 371 

Her highest gifts could only take 
New honours for their wearer's sake ; 
They could not add a wreath to thine, 
Nor brighter make thy glory shine ; 
No — meaner ones may borrow fame ; 
Thine lives through every change the same. 

The Grecian, as he feeds his flocks 
In Tempe's vale, on Morea's rocks, 
Or where the gleam of bright blue waters 
Is caught by Scio's white-armed daughters, 
While dwelling on the dubious strife,'' 
Which ushered in his nation's life. 
Shall mingle in his grateful lay, 
BozzARis with the name of Clay. 

Where blush the warm skies of the south 
O'er Cotopaxi's fiery mouth. 
And round the fallen Incas' graves, 
Tile pampa rolls its breezy waves— 
The patriot in his council-hall, 
The soldier at his fortress-wall, 
The brave, the lovely, and the free 
Shall offer up their prayer for thee. 

And where our own rude valleys smile, 
And temple-spire and lofty pile 
Crown, like the fashion of a dream, 
The slope of every fountain-stream ; 



372 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Where Industry and Plenty meet, 
Twin-brothers, in the crowded street ; 
Each spire and mountain upward sent 
Shall be thy fitting monument. 

Still stand erect ! — our hope and trust, 
When law is trampled in the dust ; 
When o'er our fathers' yet green graves 
The war-cry of disunion raves, 
And sons of those who, side by side, 
Smote down the lion-banner's pride, 
Are girding for fraternal strife, 
' For blow for blow,' for life for Hfe ! 

Let others rob the public store. 
To buy their ill-used power once more ; 
Shrink back from truth, and open wide 
The floodgates of corruption's tide ; 
Thou standest in thy country's eye, 
Unshrinking from its scrutiny. 
And asking nothing but to show 
How far a patriot's zeal can go. 

And those whose trust is fixed on thee — 
Unbought, unpledged, and truly free— 
They bow not to an idol down, 
They scorn ahke the bribe and frown ; 
And, asking no reward of gold 
For barter' d faith, for honour sold, 
Seek faithful to their hearths and home, 
Not CiESAR's weal, but that of Rome! 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. S73 



" Mr. President, I have been accured of tmbition. I believe, how- 
ever, that my accusers will be generally found to be political oppo* 
nents, or the friends of aspirants in whose way I was supposed to 
Eland. « * * • If to have served my country, during a long 
series of years, with fervent zeal and unshaken fidelity in seasons of 
peace and war, at home and abroad, in the Legislative Halls and in au 
Executive Department, if to have laboured most sedulously t:. avert the 
embarrassment and distress which now overspreads this Union ; and 
when they came, to have exerted myself anxiously, at the Extra ses' 
sion, and at this, to devise healing remedies; if to have desired to in- 
troduce economy and reform in the general administration, curtail enor- 
mous Executive power, and amply provide, at the same time, for the 
wants of the Government and the wants of the People by a Taritf 
which would give it revenue and them protection ; if to have earnestly 
sought to eslablisli the bright but too rare example of a party in pow^r, 
faithful to its promises and pledges made when out of power— if these 
rervices, exertions and endeavours justify the accusation of ambition, I 
urjst plead guilty to the charge." 

Benr7j Clay at Home—June 1S42. 



WELCOME HIS WAY! 



Hail to the Statesman great and wise, 

The patriot true and bold ! 
Where'er our irophied eagle flies, 

His name with pride is told. 
From Maine's dark pines and crags of snow, 
To where magnolian breezes blow 

O'er rich Fioridian flowers ; 
From hilly east to prairied west, 
We hail him as our mightiest— 

Rejoice in him as ours, 
32 



e^-*** 



74 THE CLAY MINSTREL. \ 

Twice, when the tempest o'er us hung, 

And roar'd destruction's wave ; 
Like light to darkness forth he sprung, 

To guide us, and to save : 
In the fierce flashings of the storm, 
We saw his proud undaunted form 

Upon the quivering deck, 
As, with his eye on Union's star. 
He saw the danger from afar, 

And shunn'd the threatening wreck. 

His heart has beat in sympathy 

Where'er throughout the world, 
The yoked have fought for Liberty, 

With Freedom's Hag unfurled. 
Say, Greece ! when nations caw you bleed, 
Who trumpet-tongued proclaim'd your need? 

And cHmes of Andes, say ! 
That templed land with answering shout, 
And these stern summits thunder out 

The name of Henry Clay. 

A soul, where patriot love intense, 

And frankest feelings dwell ; 
A splendid, matchless eloquence, 

A courage naught can quell : 
No paltry limits bound his fame. 

An empire's scatter'd myriads claim — 

On mountains wide and lone. 
In the throng'd city's busy streets, - 
In the green forest's calm retreats, 

His glory is their own. 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. S75 

What though detraction has essay'd 

To cloud his Tioble brow ; 
Down from the height himseJf has made 

He smiles vipon it now. 
The eak, while growing, may be stirr'd 
By a Hght touch of breeze and bird. 

Its bai'k eacii insect slime ; 
Matured — though whirlwinds sweep the ^ky, 
It lifts, unbow'd, its head on high. 

In conscious strength sublime. 

Welcome his way ! — his steps "beneatli 

Let proud green wreaths be spread : 
O ! how our proudest, greenest wreath 

Would brighten on his head! 
Familiar as a household word, 
In after ages will be heard — 

(When our's has pass'd away) — 
A theme for song in happy hours, 
A trumpet-blast when danger lowers, 

The name of Henry Clay, 



WHIG REVEILLE. 

The old alarm rings through the land., 

And thrills in every heart, 
And gathers now a mighty band 

To play a mighty part: 
The mouldering fires again relume 
That led us thre-'igh a night of gloom. 



376 THE CLAY MINSTREL. 

Where swelling Mississippi's tide 

Sweeps on his sullen way, 
Or smiling to his sunny bride, 

Flashes in joyous play, 
Brave Louisiana's sons still bear 
Our glorious standard proudly there. 

Where cloud-throned Alleghany bends 

His misty locks to hear 
His thunder-echo, as it sends 

That name so doubly dear, 
Through Pennsylvania's glad domain, 
The unbroken phalanx forms again. 

The grey-haired 'Hero,' dark and sad, 

Within his Hermitage, 
Hears, with a sullen start, the* shouts 

Of Freedom round him rage, 
And feels, poor desolate old man ! 
How joyless the career he ran. 

From North to South, from East to West, 

Whig hearts are swelling high — 
Rekindles hope in every breast, 

And light in every eye. 
The dark night fades — the morn appears — 
And breaks away the gloom of years. 
Oh, noble hearts, yet falter not, 

Nor hnger on your way ! 
Be worthy your exalted lot — 

Worthy the name of Clay I 
More have your deeds to make or mar 
Than Bunker-Hill or Trafalgar i / 



THE CLAY MINSTREL. 377 



I call upon Senators to bury, deep and forever, the character of Iho 
partisan, to rise up patriots and statesmen, to break the vile chains of 
party, to throw the fragments to the winds, and to feel the proud satis- 
faction that we have made but a small sacrifice to the paramount obli- 
gations which we owe our common country.— ^enn/ Clay. 

SONNET — HENRY CLAY. 

Hero of years, thy name, on every tongue, 

Lives, and shall live, through all succeeding 
time. 

The thought — the record of thy path sublime, 
Taken the great confed'rate Stars* among, 
Shall be inscribed on banners, and be flung 

With shouts of thousands, to the fragrant 
gales ; 

Till, from the quiet bosoms of the vales, 
To every mountain-summit — ever young. 
And free, and overwhelming, shall ascend 

The song of millions, gath'ring to redeem 
A Nation's honour — and a Nation's Friend 

To crown with blessings sent from each ex- 
treme, 

And busy centre, of his Land supreme. 
By hearts all kindred, of the gift they send. 

* states. 



P- 



J378 THE €LA¥ MIN5TREL. 

HENRY CLAY, 

The great — the wise— ^the virtuous, all they say. 
In Time's dread progress, die, — and turn to 

Clay; 
A dying nation shall the comment give, 
She turns to Clay — but turns io Clay to live ! 



TO HENRY CLAY. 

Sir, we have left your uaine upon a rock. 

Beyond the mighty prairies of the West, 
Where rove the tempest and the thunder- shock ; 

And where our native eagle builds his nest, 

We made you there one day a fancied guest. 
When revelry was high and hearts were warm, 

And placed your name upon the mountain';? 
breast. 
To face the elements and brave the storm. 

Sir, we just stampede symbol of our faith 
Upon " Rock Inde'pendence''' old and grey ; 

And faith can do more wonders, scripture 
saith, 
Than even turning granite into Clay ! 

Although the " Devil's Gate"* stands right 
fernenst it, 
'* The gates of hell shall not prevail against it !" 

*A famous mouQtaia chasm called the "Devil's Gate," throu§ti 
•which the Sweetwater plun»es, stands directly opposite " Bode lade- 
^Ddeace.'' 



TO THE READER. 

Since the " Sketch of the Life of Mr, 
Clay," contained in this volume, was printed, 
the Editor has received a report of the Speech 
delivered by the venerable Ex-President, John 
QuiNCY Adams, at Ivlaysville, Kentucky, 
during his recent visit to the noble West. The 
Editor regrets that he did not receive it in time 
for its partial introduction into the chapter* dc" 
voted to the refutation of the miserable and 
exploded slander of " Bargain and Sale." He 
places an extract in the first vacant space that 
offers. Such a declaration as it contains, from 
so distinguished a source, cannot, however, be 
misplaced ; and although not required now, by 
Mr. Clay, who has " lived dowii'' the slander, 
it is, nevertheless, gratifying to his friends to 
know that it has again been made. No man, 
be his party attachments what they may, if 
possessed of decent information, and of common 
r^ense, and whose mind is not darkened, or hi.s 
heart hardened, by political malignity, can really 
believe the infamous charge. In responding to 
the address of General Collins, who remarked 
■hat Mr. Adams had ' ' placed Kentucky under 



* Sketch, Chaptor VU. 

379 



380 TO THE READER. 

deep and lasting obligations to him for his noble 
defence of her great Statesman in his letter to 
the Whigs of New Jersey" * the E-x-President 
spoke as follows : 

"I thank you, sir, for the opportunity you 
have given me of speaking of the great states- 
man who M'as associated with me in the admin- 
istration of the General Government, at my 
earnest solicitation — who belongs not to Ken- 
tucky alone, but to the whole Union; and is 
riot only an honour to this State and this Nation, 
but to mankind. The charges to which you 
refer, I have, after my term of service had ex- 
pired, and it was proper for me to speak, denied 
before the whole country ; and I here reiterate 
and reaffirm that denial ,• and as I expect shortly 
to appear before my God, to answer for the con- 
duct of my whole life, should those charges have 
found their way to the Throne of Eternal Jus- 
tice, I WILL, IN THE PRESENCE OF OMNIPOTENCE, 
TRONOUNCE THEM FALSE." 

•Sketch, Chapter VIII. 



INDEX. 



A. 

A Whig War Song 155 

A New Song to an old tune 177 

Appeal to Freemen 210 

Aristocracy of Democracy 225 

American Flag and Clay 244 

As I walked out 271 

A Bumper around now my Hearties 298 

All 's Well 352 

B. 
Banner Song 167 

C. 

Clear the way for Harry Clay 191 

Come vote for the Patriot Clay 207 

Clay Gathering 212 

Chief of the West 214 

Come to the Contest 223 

Come, cheer up, ye Whigs 235 

Clay Gathering 239 

Come to the Rescue 248 

Clay Flag 260 

Clare de Kitchen 273 

Clay our Nation's Glory 385 

Clay Rally Cry 277 

Come up with the Banner 277 

Come all ye men who push the Plough 313 

Come rouse up ye bold-hearted Whigs of Kentucky 333 

Come one and all 342 

Coon Song 355 

Clay, Henry, on his return to Kentucky 359 

Clay, Henry, on his retiring from the Senate 360 

Clay, Henry, Neagle's Portrait of 365 

Henry, Clay 378 

D. 

Deeds of Clay 197 

Dayton Gatheriiig 3Q7 

E. 
Erect he stands 370 

F. 

For Home Protection and for Clay 18J 

From the Coons of Rhode Island 217 

For Harry Clay, huzza 250 

(381) 



382 INDEX. 

Farmer President 252 

Freemen awake 301 

G. 

Gallant Harry 157 

Get out of the way 175 

Get alonnr Harry, you 're bound to go in 201 

Gathering Song 242 

Great National Whig Song 294 

H. 

Harry of the West . .". 15S 

Harry of Kentucky 160 

Hurrah forClay 183 

Harry the honest and true 188 

Harry of Kentucky, ho ! ieroe ! 190 

Harry Clay when a Boy 20P 

Harry Clay and the Jackets of Blue 258 

How many Clay men are there 263 

Here 's a health to our own Harry Clay 270 

Heroes of the Mind 278 

Harry the True 291 

Huge Paw 345 

I. 

If e'er I should wish to get married 261 

J. 

John C. Calhoun, my Jo 229 

John and the Farmer 295 

John C.Calhoun 337 

K. 
Know ye the land 222 

L. 

Leave vain regrets 370 

Little Red Fox 172 

Lost Hopes 234 

Lounger's Lament 282 

N. 

National Whig Song 292 

Now let us try Harry 3tt< 

O. 

Onward 1C6 

Our Harrv the True 182 

Our Candidate '. I9& 



INDEX- 



383 



Orator's Coming 205 

Oil, Freeinen.on ~'^ 

Our Patriot Hearts ^jji 

Our Flag is Floating on the Breeze Aio 

One day just at set of sun -^W 

P. 

People's Rally 220 

People's Rally ^^^ 

Popular Avalanche ~^* 

Penitent Loco •^^^ 

Rise, Freemen ! rise STO' 

Roi'i the Democratic Ball •»^* 

S. 

Saint Louis Clay Club Song 16^ 

Star of the West j^S^ 

Sub-Treasurv Gentleman ^* 

Song of the Whig -^X 

Sonnet— Henry Clay •'' * 

T. 

The Working-Men's Song 163 

The Little Red Fox JXq 

The Whig Battle Cry • '^ 

The Whig Chief. {=^ 

The same brave old Coon ^-^ 

The Deeds of Clay 1^7 

The Orator's Coming ^"^ 

The Clay Gathering ~|- 

The Chief of the West ^14 

The Star of the West j}"' 

True Harry of Kentucky, O ~lo 

The People's Rally --^ 

The People's Rally ^l" 

The Whig Gathering -* 

The Clay Gathering -f^^^ 

The Gathering Song ^^~ 

The Popular Avalanche -^-J 

The American Flag and Clay -4f 

The People are Coming ^|^ 

The Farmer President ^»'- 

The Sub-Treasury Gentleman ^j* 

TheClnjijyag -V^ ~«^^ 

The W^igllifle. .-. •••. ^^^ 



38i INDEX. 

The Dayton Gathering 267 

The Statesman of Ashland 286 

The Clay Rally Cry 277 

The Heroes of the Mind 275 

The Penitent Loco 290 

The best thing we can do 299 

The Treasury Chest 302 

The Standard Floats 331 

The Dispersion of the Spoilers 334 

The Huge Paw 345 

The Rubber ; or Mat's Last Game 347 

The Coon Song 355 

To Henry Clay 378 

To the Reader.. 379 

U. 

Uncle Sam's Talk to his Man, John 300 

Uncle Sam and his Fiddlers 311 

W. 

Working-Men's Song 163 

Whig Banner Song 167 

Whig Battle Cry 179 

Whig Chief 180 

Whig Song 196 

What sound is that, that o'er the hills 210 

Whig Gathering 238 

We Pledge Thee 245 

Whig Rifle 265 

Whigs, whose Sires for Freedom Bled 288 

Whig Rally : 304 

When Tyler found the Reins of State 321 

When this Old Hat was new 326 

Working-Men's Song, No. 2. ., 338 

Welcome his way 373 

Whig Reveille 375 

Y. 

Yankee Doodle 169 

Ye worshippers of Tyler 320 

Ye joHj^ young Whigs of Ohio. 323 

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